Maybe no time did the nation of Latvia fall into the gaze of the hockey world greater than when the nation of just below two million folks helped attain essentially the most votes in fan voting for the 2015 NHL All-Star Sport. Due the assist of his fellow countrymen, Latvian Zemgus Girgensons was the runaway chief by nicely over 300,000 votes. With a complete of 1,574,896 nods in his favor, it appeared as if the complete nation performed a job in voting him into the competitors. Numbers-wise, that was very almost the case.
Whereas it’s absolutely fantastic to see the assist that a whole nation had (and nonetheless has) for one among its heroes, there may additionally have been a disservice concerned. For Girgensons is just not the one Latvian to seek out success within the NHL. There are not less than just a few that make him pale compared by way of their accomplishments within the league. We’d be remiss to not admire and acknowledge what these different hockey gamers have completed throughout their very own NHL careers.
Some lasted longer within the league than others, however every has made an impression. One has his identify etched in silver and is within the annals of NHL historical past for all of time. With out additional adieu, THW presents to you the all-time 10 greatest Latvians to have performed within the NHL:
#10 Kaspars Daugavins
Daugavins was and nonetheless is a stocky ahead. At 5-foot-11, he usually weighed in across the 215-pound mark. A 60-point season in 61 video games with the OHL’s Toronto St. Michael’s Majors would see him be drafted within the third spherical of the 2006 NHL draft by the Ottawa Senators. He would play components of six seasons with Ottawa’s former minor affiliate the Binghamton Senators earlier than lastly taking part in a full season of NHL hockey.
Daugavins’ greatest NHL season got here in 2011-12. He suited up for 65 video games for the Sens within the common season, and tallied 5 objectives and 6 assists. A lot was anticipated of him, however these could be the very best numbers in all classes of Daugavins’ NHL profession.
In the course of the NHL lockout-shortened season of 2012-13, Daugavins would briefly return dwelling to his native metropolis of Riga, Latvia the place he performed for Dynamo. When the NHL finally bought underway in mid-January, he returned to the Ottawa Senators. Nonetheless, after 19 video games in Ottawa, the crew positioned him on waivers. Daugavins was claimed by the Boston Bruins the place he performed the ultimate six common video games of his profession. He would play in six extra for the Bruins within the playoffs.
The #10 decide might go any variety of methods. However contemplating the truth that Daugavins ranks within the top-10 for video games performed, objectives, assists, and factors by a Latvian participant, he captures this bottom-most spot on our record. He’s at present with Michalovce Dukla HC in Slovakia.
#9 Oscars Bartulis
Bartulis by no means fairly caught on with the Philadelphia Flyers, however he nonetheless managed to play in 66 common season video games for them. This was specifically because of the truth that the Flyers had a logjam of defenders throughout his 5 seasons taking part in for the group. Although he spent most of his time within the AHL, Bartulis was a part of Philly’s most up-to-date run at a Stanley Cup. He was solely the third Latvian to ever play in a Cup last.
In the course of the 2009-10 season, Bartulis’ rookie yr, he performed 53 video games for the Flyers. That very same yr he scored his first and solely profession NHL purpose. Extra importantly, Bartulis served because the crew’s sixth, generally seventh, defenseman. Bartulis was one among 9 defenders for the Flyers that yr. He nonetheless managed to play the fifth-most video games out of all of them.
The Flyers would lose to the Chicago Blackhawks within the Last in six video games. Bartulis performed in seven of Philadelphia’s 23 playoff video games throughout their attempt for the Cup. Bartulis would play 13 extra video games the next yr however that will be the tip of his time within the NHL. He has since performed within the KHL for the reason that 2012-13 NHL season. His journey to the Last and his function as a younger Flyers “D” place him at #9 on our record.
#8 Raitis Ivanans
It could be remiss to discard Ivanans’ accomplishments as a Latvian within the NHL due to his function as an enforcer. Some probably take difficulty that he’s listed at #8, or that he’s even on this record in any respect. Opposite to that thought, Ivanans has achieved extra for Latvians within the NHL than most. His 282 NHL video games at present rank sixth most all-time by a Latvian participant, and have been solely lately surpassed by Zemgus Girgensons. Had been it not for a devastating concussion suffered from a combat towards Steve MacIntyre, Ivanans probably would have performed 80 to 100 extra video games within the NHL, if no more.
At 6-foot-4, 240 kilos, Ivanans was a large and was underrated as to how sturdy and highly effective he actually was within the NHL. His 569 profession penalty minutes are second-most in NHL historical past by a Latvian participant. The majority of his profession was spent taking part in for the Los Angeles Kings, however he additionally had stops in Montreal and Calgary.
Greater than his fisticuffs, Ivanans had longevity. Few enforcers of the mid-2000s lasted so long as he did and noticed as a lot motion. Ivanans performed 4 straight seasons of over 60 video games. In the end, that’s what locations him—and deservedly so—on this record. Ivanans’ most interesting season was 2007-08 for the Kings when he appeared in 73 video games, scored six objectives and added two assists.
#7 Helmut Balderis
Balderis is the one Soviet participant from his technology to have performed within the NHL. At a time when most gamers have already retired, Balderis got here to the league as a 37-year-old rookie. To this present day he nonetheless holds the NHL document of the oldest participant (36) ever drafted by an NHL crew. When the “Iron Curtain” started to fall and Soviet gamers have been allowed to come back to North America to play, the Minnesota North Stars drafted Balderis with the 238th general decide of the 1989 NHL draft. Balderis additionally has the document of oldest participant (37) to attain his first NHL purpose.
The rationale why Balderis solely made it’s excessive as #7 on this record is as a result of we’re solely his accomplishments within the NHL. Had been it prolonged past that, he probably might have been high general. In Soviet League totals, Balderis scored 333 objectives and 247 assists for 580 factors in 462 video games. A whole e book might simply be written on what Balderis completed within the prime of his profession.
However sticking simply to his time within the NHL, there are extra completed Latvians to have performed within the league. Nonetheless, his three objectives (two approaching the facility play) and 6 assists in 26 video games with Minnesota are nothing to be kicked apart. Relatively, it’s fully praiseworthy. He completed these numbers at a late age. Extra importantly, Balderis lastly introduced Soviet hockey of the early Nineteen Seventies to the NHL and left its mark.
#6 Peter Skudra
Skudra has the consideration of being the second-best goaltender to come back out of Latvia (extra on the primary shortly). By all accounts, he was an honest goalie too. Skudra spent the majority of his profession taking part in for the Pittsburgh Penguins. That point was spent primarily as Tom Barrasso’s backup, however he did play a career-high 37 video games in the course of the 1998-99 season with the Pens.
After his time in Pittsburgh, Skudra signed as a free agent with the Boston Bruins in Oct. 2000. Three days later, he was claimed off of waivers by the Buffalo Sabres. Skudra’s taking part in profession in Buffalo lasted all of 1 minute in a single recreation. Earlier than you knew it, the Bruins would re-claim Skudra from the Sabres the next month. It was an odd case for Skudra certainly.
After a tumultuous season, issues settled down for Skudra as he signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks in November 2001. He would serve primarily as Dan Cloutier’s backup, however performed 23 video games in back-to-back seasons. Skudra’s last NHL season was 2002-03.
In complete, this Latvian netminder performed 146 NHL video games. He has a profitable document to his credit score of 51 wins, 47 losses and a mix of 20 ties or extra time losses. Skudra additionally had six profession shutouts and an honest 2.73 objectives towards. His .894 save share is nothing write dwelling about, however, for his technology, it was a reasonably strong quantity.
#5 Zemgus Girgensons
To right this moment’s NHL fan, Zemgus Girgensons is the participant who involves thoughts when considering of Latvians within the NHL. Taken 14th general within the 2012 Draft by Buffalo, no Latvian was ever chosen increased. Girgensons has made some longevity out of his profession. He appeared in his 600th profession recreation in the course of the 2023-24 season. Girgensons’ first recreation was performed in the course of the 2013-14 season. He’s at present the longest-tenured Sabre on the crew.
Whereas there are some extra completed gamers on this record, Girgensons remains to be younger. He’s additionally nonetheless a first-rounder. There’s positively extra that he must show.
Girgensons’ high season to this point was an injury-maligned 2014-15 season. In 61 video games performed, he scored career-highs of 15 objectives, 15 assists, and 30 factors. If he can hold shifting ahead and have a profession so long as the remaining gamers on this record, a Stanley Cup might nonetheless be in his future. That’s probably not going to occur in Buffalo. Ought to a commerce take form, Girgensons provides a pleasant tone to any crew.
No matter success he generates within the years forward, his homeland will proceed to be ecstatic.
#4 Sergei Zholtok
Zholtok was a extremely proficient ahead who sadly handed away after collapsing within the locker room whereas taking part in for HK Riga 2000—he suffered from cardiac arrhythmia and handed away because of coronary heart failure. That is particularly unhappy as a result of not solely was Zholtok a most skillful ahead, however he was well-liked and regarded as a really type particular person.
On the ice, he scored 111 objectives and 147 assists in 588 NHL video games. One in all Zholtok’s extra thrilling years within the league got here in the course of the sudden playoff run of the 2002-03 Minnesota Wild. In solely their third yr of existence, the Wild vaulted themselves into the semifinals of the Stanley Cup playoffs that yr. With a defense-first mentality on the crew led by coach Jacques Lemaire, Zholtok nonetheless completed fifth general on the crew in scoring that yr with 16 objectives and 26 assists for 42 factors in 78 video games. He appeared in all 18 Wild playoff video games and scored one other two objectives and 11 assists within the postseason.
Zholtok was initially drafted within the third spherical of the 1992 NHL draft by the Boston Bruins. He would play for “Beantown”, after which the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Wild, and Nashville Predators. Zholtok’s greatest NHL season was arguably 1999-00 with Montreal when he scored a career-high 26 objectives in solely 68 video games.
#3 Karlis Skrastins
No matter nationality, Skrastins ought to be thought-about some of the underrated defensemen of all time. Like Zholtok, we misplaced Skrastins approach too younger as he tragically perished within the aircraft crash which took the lives of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey membership. It appears close to inconceivable to reconcile that such a beloved and revered teammate may very well be gone – notably one whose play on the ice made him come throughout as indestructible.
However, allow us to discuss in regards to the positives of Skrastins profession. From 2000 till 2006, he by no means missed an everyday season recreation. His consecutive recreation streak earned him the nickname of “Ironman”. That may be utilized to Skrastins bodily. Even at 6-foot-1 and across the 210-pound mark, he was constructed like a tank. Hulking, to say the least, and nothing appeared to faze him. Skrastins routinely sacrificed his physique to dam pucks and he relentlessly protected his purpose crease. Goaltenders and protection companions beloved having him on the ice.
Between the Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars, Skrastins performed 832 common season video games. Eight seasons he performed in not less than 70 video games. Whereas solely scoring 32 objectives and 136 complete factors himself, it’s what Skrastins did to cease objectives that made him noticed a valued teammate and hockey participant.
For his sturdiness and fearlessness, Skrastins earns the #3 spot on our record.
#2 Arturs Irbe
In the course of the Nineteen Nineties—when Irbe was in his prime—he was one of many most interesting goaltenders within the NHL. With true fluidity to his butterfly type, 4 instances he was within the top-10 in Vezina Trophy voting for the league’s greatest goaltender. His 13-year NHL profession noticed him put up 218 wins in 568 video games in the course of the common season.
Extra importantly, Irbe was a extremely dependable cornerstone within the early years of the San Jose Sharks, when the crew itself actually was a basement dweller for its first few seasons. He was an inaugural member of the Sharks in the course of the 1991-92 season. From there he would have temporary stops with the Dallas Stars and the Vancouver Canucks earlier than reestablishing himself as a high goalie in his six seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Irbe was an NHL All-Star in 1994 and 1999. He led the NHL in video games performed by a goaltender within the 1993-94, 1999-00 and the 2000-01 seasons. Additionally in the course of the 2000-01 season, Irbe led the league in photographs towards (1,947) and saves (1,767).
It was Irbe’s 2001-02 season that proved to be essentially the most significant of his NHL profession. In his fourth season in Carolina, he backstopped the ‘Canes to a most unbelievable run to the Stanley Cup finals. Splitting the common season duties with Tom Barrasso initially after which Kevin Weekes, Irbe was completely outstanding within the playoffs and have become the crew’s star netminder. Although Carolina would lose to the Detroit Crimson Wings in 5 video games, Irbe stood on his head all through the postseason. A 1.67 goals-against and a .938 SV% in 18 playoff video games is proof sufficient of that. He turned solely the second Latvian to contend for a Stanley Cup within the last.
#1 Sandis Ozolinsh
Just like Irbe, Ozolinsh was an early sensation for the Sharks. In the course of the 1993-94 NHL season—nonetheless technically his rookie yr after taking part in 37 video games in 1992-93—he scored 26 objectives and 38 assists for 64 factors as a defenseman. That proper there noticed him voted into the All-Star recreation, end fifth general in voting for the Calder Trophy because the league’s rookie of the yr, and end ninth in Norris Trophy voting for high defenseman. That was solely the start.
In the course of the 1995-96 season, the Sharks traded Ozolinsh to the Colorado Avalanche in trade for Owen Nolan. The Avalanche had landed their marquee defenseman which in flip landed them the Stanley Cup. In 22 playoff video games that yr, Ozolinsh had 19 factors with 5 objectives and 14 assists. He would stay a mainstay on the Avs blueline for 4 extra seasons after that. Within the 1996-97 marketing campaign, he set profession highs in assists with 45 and factors with 68. Ozolinsh would deservedly be named a First Group All-Star and a Norris Trophy finalist.
As his profession progressed, Ozolinsh had stops with the Hurricanes, the Florida Panthers, the Mighty Geese of Anaheim, the New York Rangers and a second stint with the Sharks. With Anaheim, he made his second Stanley Cup last look and had a purpose and two assists within the seven-game sequence towards the Devils. In an 875-game NHL profession, Ozolinsh scored 167 objectives, 397 assists, and 564 factors. In 137 playoff video games, he potted an extra 23 objectives and 67 assists for 90 factors.
There is no such thing as a query that along with his offensive manufacturing as a defenseman, his longevity of 15 NHL seasons, and his being the one Latvian participant to have gained the Stanley Cup, Sandis Ozolinsh rightfully sits on the high of our record.
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