Ostrava 2021: Get to know Norway

The 2021 World Para Ice Hockey Championships will take place from 19-26 June in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The top eight teams from around the world will compete for five Paralympic qualification spots. Follow along as we break down what you need to know about each team. It is time to look to take a closer look at the Norwegian team.

Background: Norway medalled in the first five World Championships it competed in, but has missed the podium in the last five. They were fifth at both the most recent Paralympics and World Championships and are eager to finish in the top five again in Ostrava to secure a qualification spot at the Beijing 2022 Games. Experienced players Audun Bakke and Morten Varenes will be joined by several newcomers on the ice, including Martin Bakkejord, Skolbekken, Emanuel Lunde, Alexander Lyngroth and Fabian Cuickshank Oeverli.

World Ranking: 5th  

World Championships History: 
2019: 5th place 
2017: 4th place 
2015: 4th place
2013: 5th place
2012: 6th place
2009: Silver
2008: Silver 
2004: Gold
2000: Silver
1996: Silver

Athlete to Watch: Morten Vaernes, who idolises the NHL’s Mats Zuccarello, has been competing on Norway’s national team since 2002 and will bring both experience and leadership to Ostrava. Last time in the Czech city, he tied for a team-lead three points and scored Norway’s game-winning goal in the fifth-place game.

Matchup to Watch: Norway vs. RPC on 22 June at 11:30 (CEST), the third day of preliminary round play, will be the first time the two square off on the international stage since the 2015 World Championships bronze-medal game. In that match, Ilia Volkov scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lead his team to a 2-1 victory over the Norwegian and a spot on the podium.

Norway roster:

Goaltenders
Johan Groenlie
Emanuel Lunde

Defensemen 
Audun Bakke
Martin Hamre
Knut Andre Nordstoga
Andreas Mundt

Forwards
Torstein Aanekre
Magnus Bogle
Emil Kirstistuen
Alexander Lyngroth
Fabian Cruickshank Oeverli
Ola Oiseth
Tor Joakim Rivera
Lena Schroeder
Martin Bakkejord Skolbekken
Loyd Remi Solberg
Morten Vaernes