The most prominent Latvia-born players to reach the NHL are defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, who helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 1996 and played 875 games in 15 NHL seasons, and goalie Arturs Irbe, who had 218 wins and 33 shutouts in 13 seasons.

Montréal Canadiens left wing Juraj Slafkovský, left, skates with the puck as Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Johansson (90) defends during overtime in an NHL hockey game Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. Credit: AP/Matt Krohn

In polling 118 NHL players, the Czech Republic was the top pick, with support also for Switzerland, Germany and Latvia.

The men's hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will begin Wednesday with Team Slovakia playing Team Finland followed by Team Sweden against host Team Italy.

Grand Rapids Griffins forward Eduards Tralmaks was selected to represent Latvia at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games from Feb. 6-22. Tralmaks, a native of Riga, Latvia, has 18 points (14-4—18), six penalty minutes and a plus-15 rating in 31 ...

RIGA, Latvia (AP) Latvia's Olympic Committee secretary general says a second player on its national men's ice hockey team is suspected to have tested positive for a banned substance at the Sochi Winter Games. Zorzs Tikmers wrote on Twitter: ''I can only ...

The NHL doesn't have the monopoly on players to watch at the Olympics. These three are ready to upset the big names in Milan.

Latvians woke up to go to work Monday morning, only to find they didn't have to. Their parliament had met at midnight to declare a holiday after the national ice hockey team chalked up its best result at the world championship. Latvia, where hockey is the ...