NHL Draft: Latvians
Since 1975, 48 Latvian hockey players have been selected in the NHL Draft, 2 of them in the first round. Most recent Latvian draftees (2026): Alberts Šmits, Rūdolfs Bērzkalns, Patriks Plūmiņš, Olivers Mūrnieks. Highest pick ever: Alberts Šmits (2026, #5). 6 Latvian prospects are eligible for the 2027 draft.
2027 NHL Draft: Latvian Prospects
6 Latvian hockey players are eligible for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
Drafted by year
Top 3 all-time
New York Rangers
Buffalo Sabres
San Jose Sharks
All 48 Latvians in the draft
2026 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
4 Latvians: Alberts Šmits, Rūdolfs Bērzkalns, Patriks Plūmiņš, Olivers Mūrnieks. Highest – Alberts Šmits (round 1, #5, New York Rangers).
2024 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
3 Latvians: Eriks Mateiko, Mikus Vecvanags, Darels Uļjanskis. Highest – Eriks Mateiko (round 3, #90, Washington Capitals).
2022 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
3 Latvians: Dans Locmelis, Sandis Vilmanis, Klavs Veinbergs. Highest – Dans Locmelis (round 4, #119, Boston Bruins).
2020 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Raivis Ansons. Highest – Raivis Ansons (round 5, #149, Pittsburgh Penguins).
2019 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Arturs Silovs. Highest – Arturs Silovs (round 6, #156, Vancouver Canucks).
2016 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Rodrigo Ābols. Highest – Rodrigo Ābols (round 7, #184, Vancouver Canucks).
2015 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
3 Latvians: Mārtiņš Dzierkals, Karlis Cukste, Rudolfs Balcers. Highest – Mārtiņš Dzierkals (round 3, #68, Toronto Maple Leafs).
2014 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
2 Latvians: Elvis Merzlikins, Edgars Kulda. Highest – Elvis Merzlikins (round 3, #76, Columbus Blue Jackets).
2013 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Kristers Gudlevskis. Highest – Kristers Gudlevskis (round 5, #124, Tampa Bay Lightning).
2012 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
2 Latvians: Zemgus Girgensons, Teodors Blugers. Highest – Zemgus Girgensons (round 1, #14, Buffalo Sabres).
2010 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Kristians Pelss. Highest – Kristians Pelss (round 7, #181, Edmonton Oilers).
2006 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
2 Latvians: Kaspars Daugaviņš, Arturs Kulda. Highest – Kaspars Daugaviņš (round 3, #91, Ottawa Senators).
2005 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Oskars Bartulis. Highest – Oskars Bartulis (round 3, #91, Philadelphia Flyers).
2004 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Mārtiņš Karsums. Highest – Mārtiņš Karsums (round 2, #64, Boston Bruins).
2003 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
2 Latvians: Raimonds Danilics, Lauris Dārziņš. Highest – Raimonds Danilics (round 8, #255, Tampa Bay Lightning).
2002 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
3 Latvians: Jēkabs Rēdlihs, Krišjānis Rēdlihs, Armands Bērziņš. Highest – Jēkabs Rēdlihs (round 4, #119, Columbus Blue Jackets).
2001 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Juris Stals. Highest – Juris Stals (round 9, #269, New York Rangers).
2000 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
2 Latvians: Agris Saviels, Jānis Sprukts. Highest – Agris Saviels (round 2, #63, Colorado Avalanche).
1999 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
2 Latvians: Kaspars Astasenko, Georgijs Pujacs. Highest – Kaspars Astasenko (round 5, #127, Tampa Bay Lightning).
1998 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Karlis Skrastins. Highest – Karlis Skrastins (round 9, #230, Nashville Predators).
1997 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Aleksandrs Andrejevs. Highest – Aleksandrs Andrejevs (round 8, #207, Phoenix Coyotes).
1993 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
2 Latvians: Aleksandrs Kercs, Harijs Vītoliņš. Highest – Aleksandrs Kercs (round 3, #60, Edmonton Oilers).
1992 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
3 Latvians: Sergejs Zoltoks, Grigorijs Pantelejevs, Viktors Ignatjevs. Highest – Sergejs Zoltoks (round 3, #55, Boston Bruins).
1991 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Sandis Ozoliņš. Highest – Sandis Ozoliņš (round 2, #30, San Jose Sharks).
1989 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
2 Latvians: Artūrs Irbe, Helmuts Balderis. Highest – Artūrs Irbe (round 10, #196, Minnesota North Stars).
1988 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Harijs Vītoliņš. Highest – Harijs Vītoliņš (round 9, #188, Montréal Canadiens).
1975 NHL Draft: Drafted Latvians
1 Latvian: Viktors Hatulevs. Highest – Viktors Hatulevs (round 9, #160, Philadelphia Flyers).
Who drafts the most
What gets picked
Alberts Šmits holds the all-time high for a Latvian in the NHL Draft — picked #5 overall in 2026.