Latvia’s Olympic hockey roster adds two NHL-affiliated stars for 2026
Latvia has named two NHL-affiliated players to its 2026 Olympic hockey roster. Forwards Sandis Vilmanis and Uvis Balinskis will compete in Milan and Cortina from February 6–22. The men’s tournament begins on February 11, with both players bringing strong recent performances into the event.
Vilmanis, in his second professional season, currently leads his team with 19 points (8G, 11A). He sits first in overall scoring, second in assists, and third in goals. This season alone, he has recorded four multi-point games, cementing his role as a key offensive contributor.
Balinskis will join him as a defensive partner, while Vilmanis also made an impact internationally. At the U20 IIHF World Junior Championship, 2025 fourth-round pick Mads Kongsbak Klyvø tied for the team lead with three goals. His standout performance included a three-point game (2G, 1A) against Germany. Elsewhere, several prospects have shown progress in North American leagues. Marek Alscher has eight points in 24 games with the Charlotte Checkers, while Jack Devine leads the team with 18 points in 25 contests. Defenceman Mike Benning has added 13 points in 31 games, and goaltender Cooper Black holds a .907 save percentage alongside a 2.41 goals-against average over 20 appearances. Josh Davies, playing for the Savannah Ghost Pirates, has contributed 10 points in 22 matches.
Vilmanis and Balinskis will now prepare for the 2026 Olympics, where Latvia aims to build on recent international success. Their selection follows a season of strong individual performances in both club and junior competitions. The tournament’s hockey events start on February 11, with both players expected to play key roles.
