Elvis Merzļikins Reveals Why He Refused To Talk To The Media At This Year's World Championships
Elvis Merzļikins Reveals Why He Refused To Talk To The Media At This Year's World Championships
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports - Elvis Merzļikins Reveals Why He Refused To Talk To The Media At This Year's World ChampionshipsHe talked about a few things in the interview, but one issue he addressed is why he refused to give interviews during the World Championships in Czechia this summer.
Before the start of the tournament, Elvis Merzļikins talked to the media but told them that it was going to be his one and only interview. It seemed weird at the time.
In the interview, he says,
"Today's problem is Instagram and Twitter, which I have already deleted. Losing six, seven games, conceding four or five goals...My self-imposed limit is two goals. If it's two, I'm happy. If it's three, then it's okay, if more, everything has gone to waste. (Laughs.) And then you have to see the headlines - they let in five again, they let in six again...But out of those six, I was able to get out maybe two, but not the rest," says Elvis Merzļikins in the interview, explaining why he decided not to give interviews to the media this spring. "After these two years, reading about myself, about Alon Ostapenko and Kristaps Porzingis, I find the news disgusting. I knew that people would want to talk to me, but I didn't want to give them anything. That's all. I didn't feel support in a difficult moment, but like taunting."
He also goes on to say that he was "annoyed" by fellow Latvian goalie Rihardas Cimmermanis's remarks on a podcast about him not being a "team player."
Elvis Merzļikins is a fiery and emotional guy, especially on the ice. From being fired up after losses, to trying to fight Tom Wilson, he is as competitive as they come.
GM Don Waddell made it clear that he is going to give Elvis every opportunity to get himself back to the form that everyone knows he can play at. Does this give Elvis confidence knowing that the team wants him around, even after a regime change?
He's getting a chance to prove himself again despite the last few seasons of him not playing up to his standards. Even though Latvia didn't do well in the World's this summer, just playing games could be helpful to him, as the last few seasons he didn't compete in any games after the NHL season ended.
Elvis may have another chance to play before the season starts too. From late August into September, the 2026 Winter Olympics men's ice hockey qualification games will take place. Latvia will be in Group E, and the games will be held in Riga, Latvia, Merzļikins hometown. In Group E will be Latvia, France, Slovenia, and Ukraine.
There are still a ton of people who are rooting for Elvis Merzļikins to bounce back to his former self, including the team. Now it's up to him to make it happen.
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