Robert Rooba: Estonian ice hockey needs more players

Estonia's ice hockey national team captain Robert Rooba is optimistic about next year's World Championship tournament at Tondiraba ice hall. According to Rooba, the national team's main challenge is growing the player base.

Estonia's ice hockey national team captain Robert Rooba is confident that next year's World Championship tournament at Tondiraba ice hall will feature opponents within Estonian reach. Rooba says that home ice gives players added confidence, and fan support in Tallinn could prove decisive.

Rooba highlighted a clear bottleneck in Estonian ice hockey: the number of players is too small. For the national team to compete at an even higher level in the future, the base of recreational players needs to be expanded and young talent brought in. "We need to increase the number of players—that is the foundation for development," the captain emphasized.

The home World Championship offers Estonia a rare opportunity to demonstrate its ice hockey standard to both local audiences and the international ice hockey community. Tondiraba ice hall is one of the most modern arenas in the Baltic region, and hosting the tournament there represents a significant prestige boost for the country's sport.

Rooba's optimism is shared among other team members, who see playing on home ice as a source of motivation. The Estonian Ice Hockey Association has likewise stressed the importance of youth engagement to ensure sustainable future for the national team in the years to come.