Recently I prepared a post discussing the key contributions to Team Latvia’s Olympic success of d-man and highly-ranked 2026 draft prospect Albert Smits. (Attached is a link to that post.) Smits no doubt is benefiting from the insight years of NHL experience will provide from Latvian assistant coach Sandis Ozolinsh. Ozolinsh played in the NHL from 1992 through 2008, made seven All-Star game appearances, won the 1996 Stanley Cup with Colorado, and amassed 564 points (167G 397A) in 875 games. Although conspicuously absent from the NHL Hall of Fame, he is widely considered the best-ever d-man to hail from that part of the globe.
On the offensive side of the puck for Latvia, Boston Bruins forward prospect Dans Locmelis (2022 4th round, 119th overall) is definitely making his presence felt as well. This was especially true in Latvia’s recent 4-3 upset win over Germany, in which Locmelis scored the team’s first two goals (both coming on the power-play). For Providence in the AHL, Locmelis has 28 points (15G 13A) in 43 games this season, and his 15 goals are both third on the team and third among AHL rookies.
Latvia plays Sweden Tuesday at 1:10 ET with the opportunity to advance to the quarterfinal.