Edmonton Oilers Select Forward Rudolfs Berzkalns in NHL Draft

The Edmonton Oilers selected Latvian forward Rudolfs Berzkalns in the second round of the NHL draft, picking him 58th overall. Originally holding the 52nd pick, the Oilers traded down six spots with the Tampa Bay Lightning, also acquiring a fifth-round pick in the deal.

Berzkalns spent the past season playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the United States Hockey League (USHL), reaching the league finals where they lost to the Sioux Falls Stampede (which features fellow Latvian Linards Feldbergs). In 48 regular-season games, the forward recorded 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists), and in 16 playoff games he added 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists).

Born in Ogre, Latvia, Berzkalns also represented the Latvian U-20 national team this year, scoring one goal in five games – that goal came against Canada in a narrow 2-1 overtime loss.

With this selection, Berzkalns becomes the sixth-highest drafted Latvian in NHL history. Only Alberts Šmits (5th), Zemgus Girgensons (12th), Sandis Ozoliņš (30th), Teodors Bļugers (52nd), and Sergejs Žoltoks (55th) were drafted higher.

Berzkalns is the third Latvian ever drafted by the Edmonton Oilers. In 1993, they selected Aleksandrs Kerčs in the third round (60th overall), and in 2010 they picked Kristiāns Pelšs in the seventh round (181st overall).