Historic NHL Draft: Four Latvian Players Selected in One Year

Latvian hockey marks a historic achievement as four players were chosen in the 2026 NHL draft. In the second round, the Edmonton Oilers selected forward Rūdolfs Bērzkalns with the 58th overall pick. Bērzkalns was a USHL runner-up with the Muskegon Lumberjacks last season and will play for Boston College in the NCAA next year.

In the fourth round, the Toronto Maple Leafs picked goaltender Patriks Plūmiņš at 114th overall. Plūmiņš played for Latvian vice-champion Zemgale/LBTU and was named to the All-Star team at the U-18 World Championship, where Latvia finished fourth.

Also in the fourth round, the Buffalo Sabres selected forward Olivers Mūrnieks at 124th overall. Mūrnieks debuted for the Latvian senior national team at age 17 and played for the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL.

Earlier on Friday, the New York Rangers drafted defenseman Albert Šmits with the fifth overall pick, making him the highest-drafted Latvian in NHL history.

Additionally, the Florida Panthers selected Lithuanian forward Simas Ignatavicius at 40th overall in the second round. Ignatavicius is only the third Lithuanian player ever drafted in the NHL.