TEMPE, Ariz. – Sun Devil Hockey rising sophomores Gvido Jansons and Filips Buncis have been invited by the Latvian Hockey Federation to join Team Latvia for preparation camp leading up to the 2018 IIHF World Championships in Denmark this May. The two will depart for Latvia on Saturday.
Jansons and Buncis become the first two Sun Devil players to have the opportunity to play for their home country in the IIHF World Championships.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for both Filips and Gvido to represent their country and our university on the world stage," said head coach Greg Powers. "I couldn't be happier for both of them. They are tremendous young men with the highest level of character both on and off the ice."
If camp goes well, Jansons and Buncis will play for Team Latvia in the World Championships from May 2-20.
Jansons and Buncis both grew up playing together in Latvia before eventually departing for juniors, but both played for the Latvian U-17, U-18 and U-20 teams in World Junior Classics and IIHF Juniors since 2013-14.
Jansons, who stands at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, played in all 34 games for the Sun Devils in his freshman season on the blue line. Both of his goals this season came in crucial games, with the first helping ASU get to overtime against top-10 opponent Nebraska-Omaha and the second doing the same against Colorado College, who was receiving votes in the USCHO top-20 poll.
After scoring a goal in the season-opening exhibition against Northern Alberta on Sept. 30, Buncis bookended his freshman season with a goal in the final game of the season against No. 13 Michigan.
Be sure to follow Sun Devil Hockey on Twitter for updates on Buncis and Jansons journey with Team Latvia leading into this summer.
Jansons and Buncis become the first two Sun Devil players to have the opportunity to play for their home country in the IIHF World Championships.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for both Filips and Gvido to represent their country and our university on the world stage," said head coach Greg Powers. "I couldn't be happier for both of them. They are tremendous young men with the highest level of character both on and off the ice."
If camp goes well, Jansons and Buncis will play for Team Latvia in the World Championships from May 2-20.
Jansons and Buncis both grew up playing together in Latvia before eventually departing for juniors, but both played for the Latvian U-17, U-18 and U-20 teams in World Junior Classics and IIHF Juniors since 2013-14.
Jansons, who stands at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, played in all 34 games for the Sun Devils in his freshman season on the blue line. Both of his goals this season came in crucial games, with the first helping ASU get to overtime against top-10 opponent Nebraska-Omaha and the second doing the same against Colorado College, who was receiving votes in the USCHO top-20 poll.
After scoring a goal in the season-opening exhibition against Northern Alberta on Sept. 30, Buncis bookended his freshman season with a goal in the final game of the season against No. 13 Michigan.
Be sure to follow Sun Devil Hockey on Twitter for updates on Buncis and Jansons journey with Team Latvia leading into this summer.