Karlis Cukste (130th), Rudolfs Balcers (142nd), & Adam Parsells (160th)

[LadyStanley]

 

[OscarsCards]

Sharks are fishing for some Latvian prospects, just like the good old days.

 

[Namejs]

Hmm, what with the all Latvians recently? It's not like there has been ton of NHL players coming out of Latvia in the past.
Not hating the picks or players , just curious.

I honestly don't understand what you're saying. It's not like Latvia is a some sort of an exotic country like Australia or China or something.

More than 20 Latvians have made it to the NHL. That's quite a lot for a country of 1.9 million people. In fact, per capita, Riga is one the biggest hockey hot beds in Europe. Latvia is one of only 3 countries on the planet, where hockey is the most popular sport.

Why does it surprise you that Latvians are getting drafted?

Balcers and Cukste were very solid for the Latvian U-18 team in this year's WJC. The Latvians actually scored 6 goals on Canada there, and Cukste recorded a goal and an assist in that game, btw. I'm guessing they were both scouted there, although Balcers has been doing very good with his club team in Norway, where he spent the season in a pro league, recording 21 points.

How many 18 year-olds from this year's draft class have recorded 21 points in a pro league?

 

[LadyStanley]

More hilarity.

 

[DonskoiDonscored]

More hilarity.

"Last book you read?"

"Oh man, that probably had to be back in 5th grade"

 

[Hangemhigh]

More hilarity.

Definitely my favorite prospect from this draft. Future allstar.

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

Besides the first 2 picks Rudolfs Balcers is who intrigues me the most

 

[GX]

Čukste was drafted by Rouyna-Noranda Huskies at the CHL Import Draft. Still, before that there were reports he is heading to USHL.

 

[herbst20]

Čukste was drafted by Rouyna-Noranda Huskies at the CHL Import Draft. Still, before that there were reports he is heading to USHL.

Sounds like the reports of him going to the USHL are true.

Tweets out there today saying he will play for Waterloo

 

[Kcoyote3]

"Last book you read?"

"Oh man, that probably had to be back in 5th grade"

Haha he chooses instagram for the Facebook, Twitter or Instagram thing, then plugs his twitter at the end.

Is a hot dog a sandwich?

No.

Last thing you ate?

A hotdog.

Hahah.

 

[Badman]

Rudolfs Balcers scored his first Champions Hockey League yesterday. His team, the Stavanger Oilers, beat reigning Czech league champions Ocelari Trinec 4-1 and Balcers scored the 3-0 goal.

You can see the goal 02.10 into this video:

Highlights Stavanger Oilers - Ocelari Trinec