Vilmanis recalls the episode that made him the most talked-about person in North American hockey
In an interview with TVNET+, Sandis Vilmanis looks back at the February NHL game where he elbowed an opponent, causing a jaw injury and sparking massive criticism.
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In February 2026, Latvian hockey player Sandis Vilmanis briefly became one of the most talked-about figures in North American hockey. During an NHL game, he accidentally elbowed an opponent, resulting in a jaw injury. In a conversation with TVNET+, Vilmanis reflected on the incident and the subsequent backlash.
After the hit, Vilmanis served a two-minute penalty and was then benched by his coach for the remainder of the game. Social media erupted with harsh criticism, at times resembling a witch hunt. Vilmanis recalled what his coach told him after deciding not to let him back on the ice and openly commented on the hockey community's reaction.
