The ECHL is represented by 23 players in the 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship, which begin today and run through May 28 in Riga, Latvia and Tampere, Finland.
There is at least one former ECHL player on 12 of the 16 teams in the tournament, led by six players appearing on the roster for Latvia. Three players who played in the ECHL this season are participating in the tournament – France’s Justin Addamo (Wheeling) and Louis Boudon (Iowa) and Norway’s Christian Kasastul (Greenville).
In addition to the 23 players, six officials who have officiated in the ECHL have been selected to work the World Championships with referees Sean Fernandez, Sean MacFarlane and Liam Sewell, and linesmen Nick Briganti, Jake Davis and Tarrington Wyonzek.
Former ECHL players participating in 2023 IIHF World Championship:
Canada – Jacob Middleton (Manchester, 2015-16) and MacKenzie Weegar (Cincinnati, 2014-15)
Czechia – Marek Langhamer (Rapid City, 2015-17)
Denmark – Mikkel Aagaard (Adirondack, 2016-17 and Manchester, 2017-18)
Finland – Emil Larmi (Wheeling, 2019-20) and Jussi Olkinuora (Ontario, 2013-15 and Tulsa, 2015-16)
France – Justin Addamo (Wheeling, 2022-23); Louis Boudon (Iowa, 2022-23) and Tim Bozon (Brampton, 2015-16 and Manchester, 2016-17)
Germany – Mathias Niederberger (Ontario, 2013-14); Marcel Noebels (Trenton, 2012-13) and Frederik Tiffels (Wheeling, 2017-18)
Hungary – Daniel Koger (Cincinnati, 2011-12; South Carolina, 2011-13; Bakersfield, 2012-13; Florida, 2012-13; Elmira, 2013-14 and Toledo, 2013-14) and Gergo Nagy (Kalamazoo, 2014-15 and Quad City, 2017-18)
Latvia – Rodrigo Abols (Greenville, 2019-20); Rihards Bukarts (Manchester, 2016-17); Martins Dzierkals (Orlando, 2017-18); Ralfs Freibergs (Ontario, 2014-15 and Toledo, 2015-16); Kristers Gudlevskis (Florida, 2013-14) and Arturs Silovs (Trois-Rivières, 2021-22)
Norway – Christian Kasastul (Greenville, 2021-23)
Slovenia – Jan Drozg (Wheeling, 2019-20)
Switzerland – Robert Mayer (Cincinnati, 2009-10)
United States – Casey DeSmith (Wheeling, 2015-16)
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers