NHL Drafted players in the Latvian League

natodawn
07-01-2007, 02:27 AM
Does anyone know if there are any current players in the Latvian Hockey League that are drafted by NHL clubs? I looked around but couldn't find anything.

I plan on attending some Liepaja games this winter and wanted to keep an eye on any potential NHLers.

Thanks.

mattihp
07-06-2007, 03:45 AM
I think that the Latvian league mostly flies under the radar to the extent that teams that know of a promising Latvian will either wait out until they can be signed (and thus having seen more of them) or until they play on a different level.

Buddhaa
09-06-2007, 05:54 AM
According to a local newspaper article, Janis Sprukts will start the season with Riga2000 but should eventually find a better club. Sprukts was drafted in 2000 by Florida in 8th round. Last season he split his playing time between Florida (13 games, 1+2)and Rochester Amerks (58 points in 59 games, I think; MVP of the team). He was offered a two-way qualifying offer by Fla, but refused, claiming that he can get a better deal abroad. According to the article, a RSL team has offered a contract to him for 2007/08, but he has refused due to not wishing to play in Russia. He is looking towards Western Europe. Two years ago he did extremely well in the Finnish top league (played for HPK, was one of the leaders on a great team). Anyways, you might see him if you go to a Riga2000 game. I am not sure there are many others. One that comes to mind is Raimonds Danilics, another player drafted in 2000 by Tampa. He is a clear-cut bust though. Not sure about others.

gairo
09-12-2007, 05:37 AM
There is one more exNHL player - Aleksandrs Kerčs (Drafted by Edmonton "Oilers" in 1993, 3rd round, 60 overall)