Uvis Balinskis on tough NHL season: There were things I had to prove to myself

After finishing his third season in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Florida Panthers, Latvian defenseman Uvis Balinskis has returned home. In an interview with Latvian Television, he revealed that the past season was challenging, as he battled an injury that caused self-doubt. "There were things I had to prove to myself," Balinskis said.

He also noted that the atmosphere in Florida is already buzzing ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the state will co-host. Commenting on the recent World Championship in Switzerland, Balinskis praised young Latvian defender Alberts Šmits, whose performance impressed him greatly.