Kufterins Earns Spot on Latvia’s Preliminary World Junior Roster

Image Credit - Fallsway Marketing & Media/Alex Beckett

Ivans Kufterins is taking a step onto the international stage.

The Kamloops Blazers goaltender has been named to Latvia’s preliminary roster for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, placing him in contention to represent his country at junior hockey’s most high profile international tournament.

Kufterins was selected by the Blazers with the 13th overall pick in this year’s CHL Import Draft and has quickly found himself in competitive environments at both the WHL and international level.

Latvia’s preliminary group features players competing across the world, including the CHL, BCHL, USHL, and several leagues throughout Europe. The goaltending group in particular will be competitive, with Kufterins set to battle against top level talent at camp, including Mikus Vecvanags, a Montreal Canadiens draft pick

With the Blazers this season, Kufterins has appeared in 13 games, playing primarily behind Logan Edmonstone. In those appearances, he has earned six wins while continuing to adjust to the pace and demands of the WHL. His current numbers sit at an .880 save percentage with a 4.03 goals against average with just over 650 minutes played.

As Kufterins heads off to Latvia’s World Junior camp, the Blazers have been forced to adjust their crease, calling up Braxton Gibson from Calgary’s U18 Prep program to provide goaltending depth during his absence.