Gangneung 2017: Norway team preview

Norway will return to the ice at the World Championships in Gangneung, South Korea, having just missed out on a podium place at the last edition in 2015.

That followed their performance from the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, which saw them miss out on a medal for the first time since 1994.

But in 2015 Norway fought hard, taking Russia to overtime before losing the bronze medal match 2-1.

The following season Norway reached the European podium with bronze in Ostersund, Sweden.

In 2016-17 Norway have had ups and downs. In one of their games an international tournament in March, they were beaten 6-3 by 2018 Paralympic hosts South Korea. However they later returned to win 3-1 over the hosts of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

They bounced back even further, going on to finish second to Canada in the final standings.

Defender Rolf Pedersen was a key player for Norway during the tournament, and attacker Morten Vaernes managed to breach the Canadian defence in the deciding game.

They count former ice hockey player, Ole Eskild Dahlstrom, as part of their assistant coaching team, led by Espen Hegde as head coach.

Norway’s World Championships record includes gold (2004) and silver (1996, 2000, 2008, 2009).

Roster

Forwards

No. 24 – Thommas Avdal

No. 22 – Audun Bakke

No.12 – Magnus Bogle

No. 20 – Martin Hamre

No. 71 – Ola Oiseth

No. 10 – Tor Joakim Rivera

No. 17 – Loyd Remi Solberg

No. 15 – Emil Sorheim

No. 9 – Morten Vaernes

No. 27 – Emil Vatne

Defenders

No. 65 – Thomas Jacobsen

No. 23 – Jan Roger Klakegg

No. 16 – Knut Andre Nordstoga

No. 3 – Rolf Einar Pedersen

Goaltenders

No. 19 – Kissinger Deng

No. 18 – Kjell Christian Hamar

Live coverage and the game schedule of the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships, taking place between 11-20 April, is available at Gangneung2017.com.

Gangneung 2017 also doubles as the Test Event for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. All games will be played at the Gangneung Hockey Centre.