IIHF World Junior Championship – Division II Group B | 2025–2026
It’s GAME DAY. The road to GOLD starts now. 🥇
After an unforgettable silver-medal run last year, the Israel U20 National Ice Hockey Team hits the ice today at the IIHF World Junior Championship Division II Group B with confidence, hunger, and belief.
Last year proved Israel belongs.
This year, the message is simple:
We’re not chasing silver anymore. We’re chasing GOLD.
🥈 From Breakthrough to Belief
In 2025, Team Israel shocked the division with heart, discipline, and relentless compete, skating its way to a historic silver medal. That run changed expectations — both externally and inside the locker room.
This season’s group arrives:
- Older
- Deeper
- Faster
- More experienced
This is no longer a team hoping to surprise anyone.
This is a team that expects to win.
🏒 Meet the 2025–2026 Team Israel U20 Roster
🧤 GOALTENDERS
- #25 Michael Kozlov (G) — 17 | 191 cm | Calm, composed, and big in the crease
- #1 Ben Rahman (G) — 18 | 174 cm | Quick, competitive, and battle-tested
Goaltending Depth: A major strength — confidence from puck drop to final buzzer.
🛡️ DEFENSEMEN
- #5 Eitan Dubnikov (D) — 19 | 192 cm | Physical, shutdown presence
- #10 Ofir Fuchs (D) — 19 | Smart, steady two-way defender
- #23 Evgeny Gagulin (D) — 16 | Young, mobile, fearless
- #22 David Kaplan (D) — 18 | Reliable, disciplined defender
- #3 Iv Kaznatcheev (D) — 16 | Strong positioning, calm puck mover
- #8 Ori Moss Rendell (D) — 19 | USPHL Premier | Modern puck-moving D
- #13 Nick Ogurtsyn (D) — 18 | Size, reach, and defensive consistency
Blue-Line Identity: Structure, gap control, and quick first passes.
⚡ FORWARDS
- #11 Artur Charniak (F) — 16 | Speedy, creative attacker
- #15 Ariel David Elkin (LW/C) — 18 | USPHL Premier | Two-way threat
- #7 Samson Goldstein (F) — 16 | Strong forechecker, heavy shot
- #12 Shalev David Graves (F) — 17 | High hockey IQ, relentless motor
- #4 Shon Kazinets (F/D) — 18 | Versatile, hard-working competitor
- #19 Itay Kerner (C) — 19 | Austria U20i | Leader down the middle
- #21 Yonatan Melnikov (F) — 19 | Reliable, team-first forward
- #18 Daniel Mueller (F) — 18 | USPHL Premier | Speed and puck skill
- #14 David Revniaga (F) — 16 | Young energy, fearless play
- #16 Mikhail Vasiliev (F) — 19 | Size, strength, net-front presence
- #9 Shakked Vizelman (F) — 15 | Youngest spark plug on the roster
- #6 Nikita Zitserman (F) — 17 | Austria U20i | Power forward with skill
Forward Group: Fast, relentless, and willing to work every shift.
📊 Team Snapshot
- Positions: G (2) | D (7) | F (12)
- Average Age: 17.5
- Average Height: 179 cm
- Average Weight: 72.8 kg
A perfect blend of youth, size, speed, and international development.
🧠 Coaching & Staff
- Head Coach: Kirill Polozov
- Assistant Coach: Yuval Halpert
- Assistant Coach: Nikita Lukin
- General Manager: Joshua Greenberg
- Equipment Manager: Alexander S.
- Team Doctor: Ziv Zukier
This group has emphasized discipline, pace, and confidence — preparing the players not just to compete, but to win.
📅 Tournament Outlook
Division II Group B is unforgiving. Every game matters.
Fast starts, discipline, and composure will define the standings.
Team Israel enters knowing:
- They can beat anyone in the group
- They’ve done it before
- Now it’s about consistency
🚨 Today’s Game: Set the Tone
Opening night is about more than points.
It’s about:
- Momentum
- Confidence
- Sending a message
Israel takes the ice today ready to show that last year was not a fluke — it was the foundation.
🇮🇱 One Team. One Mission.
They skate for each other.
They skate for the flag.
They skate for the next generation of Israeli hockey players watching at home.
The journey to gold begins now.
🟦⬜ LET’S GO ISRAEL! 🏒🔥
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