Two Latvian goaltenders invited to Toronto Maple Leafs development camp

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that 53 players will participate in their annual development camp, including two Latvian goaltenders – Patrik Bērziņš and Patrik Plūmiņš. The camp begins Wednesday with medical exams, followed by the first on-ice session on Thursday, July 2.

Patrik Plūmiņš, 18, was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fourth round, 114th overall, in this year's NHL Draft. In May, he was named the best goaltender of the U-18 World Championship, where Latvia reached the semifinals for the first time. Plūmiņš posted a 94.7% save percentage in five tournament games. Last season, he played for Zemgale/LBTU in the Baltic Championship, recording a 92.7% save percentage in 16 games.

Patrik Bērziņš, 22, has spent four seasons in North America, including the last two in the NCAA. At the 2023 U-20 World Championship, he was Latvia's starting goaltender, stopping 91.4% of shots in six games and being named one of the team's top three players. Prior to moving to North America, Bērziņš played for Liepāja.

Both goaltenders hail from the Talsu region. The camp roster includes all ten players drafted by Toronto this year, as well as previous draft picks and 26 free agents. This year, four Latvians were selected in the NHL Draft for the first time: Plūmiņš, defenseman Alberts Šmits, and forwards Rūdolfs Bērzkalns and Olivers Mūrnieks.