Mateiko captains Latvia; Canada struggles

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

A nightmare start for Team Canada at the IIHF Under-18 World Championship grabbed most of the attention on Thursday, but the player wearing the 'C' for Team Latvia is certainly noteworthy.

Saint John Sea Dogs forward Eriks Mateiko captained Latvia in their 7-1 loss to the heavily favoured United States. Mateiko, playing on Latvia's top line, had one shot on goal in 20:33 of ice time.

Mateiko, a second-round pick of Saint John in last year's CHL Import Draft, had two goals in four games with Latvia at last year's under-18 event.

"Eriks Mateiko should provide some offensive punch after a decent season in the QMJHL," wrote Tony Ferrari in The Hockey News. "The 6-foot-4 winger should bring some of the experience from last year’s team to the tournament and build off the two goals he scored last time."

The 17-year-old played on a line with Kristers Ansons, the brother of former Sea Dogs forward Raivis Ansons. Chicoutimi Sagueneens defenseman Peteris Bulans is wearing an 'A' for the Latvians.

Mateiko recorded 16 goals and 20 assists in 62 games with Saint John this past season.

Latvia is back in action on Friday, taking on Finland. The tournament is being held in Switzerland.

Saint John's other import forward, Pavel Simek, is suiting up for Czechia. Simek had an assist in 17:13 of ice time in Czechia's 3-2 shootout loss to Slovakia on Thursday.

Simek, Saint John's first-round pick in last year's CHL Import Draft, had 12 goals and 17 assists in 61 QMJHL games this past season.

Czechia is back in action on Saturday, facing Germany.

The big shock of the day was Team Canada's disastrous start, falling 8-0 to Sweden. There is only one QMJHL player on the Canadian roster - Victoriaville Tigres goaltender Gabriel D'Aigle, who allowed three goals on 17 shots in a relief appearance.