Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzļikins will not be joining the Latvian national team for the upcoming 2026 IIHF World Championship, according to an announcement from the Latvian Hockey Federation.
The decision comes due to personal reasons, as confirmed by the federation on April 17, 2026. Merzļikins, who has represented Latvia in six previous World Championships, posted a .883 save percentage and a 3.40 goals-against average in 30 games this season for the Blue Jackets.
He also played for Latvia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, appearing in two games with an .850 save percentage and a 5.40 goals-against average. Over his international career, Merzļikins has a .907 save percentage and a 2.79 goals-against average in 31 games, including three shutout victories.
The 2026 IIHF World Championship will accept place from May 15 to May 31 in the Swiss cities of Zurich and Fribourg. Latvia has been placed in Group A alongside Finland, the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Great Britain.
