The Optibet Hockey League (OHL) runners-up Zemgale/LBTU have announced a major roster overhaul, parting ways with several players. According to Sportazinas, the changes include the departure of the team captain and the addition of Deniss Fjodorovs.
Zemgale/LBTU is entering a period of significant transition. After three seasons of falling just short in the finals—losing to Mogo/RSU in each of the last three series with a 1-4 score—the Jelgava-based club is clearing the decks.
Roster Departures: Captain Marenis and Key Veterans Exit
The most striking blow to the locker room is the departure of captain Rihards Marenis. As reported by Sportazinas, Marenis leaves alongside teammates Ričards Bernhards and Rauls Ozollapa.
The club is also losing depth in the crease and the wings. Goaltender Patriks Plūmiņš, who was selected 114th overall in the NHL draft, will no longer protect the net for the team. On the offensive side, the club is parting with Finnish forwards Tomi-Peteri Ansio and Jonass Pārviainens.
Some of these moves were already in motion. Defender Harijs Brants has moved to another OHL team, the Kyiv Capitals, while Daniels Goršanovs had previously reached an agreement with the Polish organization Cracovia in Krakow.
Deniss Fjodorovs Joins from Poland
To fill the void, Zemgale/LBTU has secured the services of 25-year-old forward Deniss Fjodorovs. A former captain of the Latvian U-18 and U-20 national teams, Fjodorovs brings a level of professional experience from the Polish top league.
Fjodorovs spent the last three seasons with the Energa Toruń club in Poland.
- Total Performance: 72 points (33 goals and 39 assists) across 112 games.
- Recent Form: 18 points (7 goals and 11 assists) in 36 regular-season games last season.
- Playoff Impact: 2 points (1 goal and 1 assist) in 7 playoff matches.
Beyond his time in Poland, Fjodorovs has a resume that includes stints with Rīga, Dinamo Rīga, and the Kazakh club Saryarka Karaganda.
Artis Ābols and the Coaching Structure
While the players are changing, the leadership on the bench remains stable. It was announced in June that Artis Ābols will continue as the head coach. This is a critical point of continuity for the organization; under Ābols’ guidance, the team previously secured two consecutive championships before the recent string of final-series losses.
The support staff is also largely intact, ensuring that the tactical and physical foundations of the team remain consistent during the roster shift.
| Role | Personnel |
|---|---|
| Assistant Coach | Artūrs Āboliņš |
| Goaltending Coach | Rihards Cimermanis |
| Video Analysis | Pēteris Groms |
| Physical Trainer | Kristaps Ence |
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