Top 5 Latvian players in NHL history ft. Sandis Ozolinsh

The 2025 World Junior Championships saw one of the biggest upsets in Tournament history, as Team Latvia defeated Team Canada 3-2 via the shootout on December 27. Goaltender Linards Feldbergs was a brick wall, stopping 53 shots in regulation and overtime and turning aside all eight Canada shots in the shootout.

While Latvia's run came to a close earlier in the week with a 3-2 loss to Team Sweden, they still have plenty to be proud of. As the Latvians celebrate their historic performance, let's look at five Latvians who have enjoyed success in the NHL:

Top 5 Latvian players in NHL history ft. Sandis Ozolinsh

#5. Zemgus Girgensons

NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at Seattle Kraken - Source: Imagn

Currently playing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Zemgus Girgensons was selected 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2012 draft, becoming the highest-drafted Latvian in hockey history.

He played 10 years with the Sabres before signing a free-agent deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning this past offseason. So far in his NHL career, he's scored 89 goals with 101 assists.

#4. Sergei Zholtok

Originally selected with the 55th overall pick in the 1992 draft by the Boston Bruins, Zholtok enjoyed an NHL career that spanned nearly 600 games. He suited up for the Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, and Nashville Predators.

Zholtok helped the Wild to a first-round upset over the Colorado Avalanche in the 2003 postseason, and they eventually reached the Western Conference Final. He sadly died due to cardiac arrhythmia in November 2004 while playing for HK Rīga 2000.

#3. Karlis Skrastins

NHL: Philadelphia Flyers at Dallas Stars - Source: Imagn

Originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the 1998 NHL draft, Karlis Skrastins played over 800 games with Nashville, Colorado, the Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers. He scored 32 goals with 104 assists.

After 11 years in the NHL, Skrastins signed in the KHL with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. He died in a plane crash in 2011 that also claimed the lives of all but one of the 45 people on board. The entire Yaroslavl team was traveling on the flight for the opening game of their season.

#2. Arturs Irbe

Best known for his tenures with the San Jose Sharks and Carolina Hurricanes, Arturs Irbe is regarded as the best Latvian goaltender in the country's history to have played in the NHL. He helped the Sharks to a stunning first-round upset of the Detroit Red Wings in the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

He found a home with the Hurricanes, with whom he reached the 2002 Stanley Cup Final. He finished his NHL career with a record of 218-236-79, a 2.83 goals-against average, and a .899 save percentage.

#1. Sandis Ozolinsh

NHL: Dallas Stars at San Jose Sharks - Source: Imagn

Selected with the 30th overall pick in the 1991 NHL draft by the San Jose Sharks, Ozolinsh helped the IHL's Kansas City Blades to the Turner Cup before beginning his NHL career.

But after a short tenure with the Sharks, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for future San Jose captain Owen Nolan. He played several years in Colorado, helping them to the 1996 Stanley Cup.

Ozolinsh later played for the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers before being traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim with whom he reached the 2003 Stanley Cup Final.

Ozolinsh finished his career by playing for the New York Rangers and once again for the San Jose Sharks, scoring 167 goals and 397 assists in 875 career games.