Sandis Ozoliņš

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Sandis Ozoliņš
Ozoliņš with the San Jose Sharks in 2008
Born (1972-08-03) 3 August 1972 (age 51)
Latvian SSR, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 214 lb (97 kg; 15 st 4 lb)
Position
Defence
Shot Left
Played for Dinamo Riga
San Jose Sharks
Colorado Avalanche
Carolina Hurricanes
Florida Panthers
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
New York Rangers
Dinamo Riga
Atlant Moscow Oblast
National team  
Unified Team and
 Latvia
NHL Draft 30th overall, 1991
San Jose Sharks
Playing career 1990–2014

Sandis Ozoliņš (born 3 August 1972), commonly spelled Sandis Ozolinsh

succeeded him in 2008. He became the head coach of Dinamo in 2017.

Ozoliņš was drafted in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks as the 8th pick of the 2nd round, 30th overall. He played for the Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and New York Rangers. He is often considered a prototype "offensive defenseman," becoming heavily involved in his team's offense and scoring opportunities.

In 2014 Ozoliņš was awarded Order of the Three Stars for his long-standing contributions to Latvian ice hockey and sports.[1]

Playing career

Ozoliņš (right) on a 2000 Latvian stamp

Early playing career

Ozoliņš was drafted 30th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft and had played for the Kansas City Blades, a minor league team in the International Hockey League. He and Latvian teammate Artūrs Irbe won a Turner Cup with the Blades in 1992.

National Hockey League

San Jose Sharks

Ozoliņš joined the Sharks in

1992–93, scoring 23 points in 37 games. He missed the majority of his rookie season recovering from a knee injury suffered in a game against Philadelphia on December 30, 1992. After recovering from his injury, Ozoliņš ended the 1993–94
season with an 81-game, 26-goal/64-point sophomore effort, leading the league in goals by a defenceman. Ozoliņš helped the Sharks to move beyond the first round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, losing in the conference semifinals.

Colorado Avalanche

Ozoliņš began the

hat trick on December 6, 1999, against the Vancouver Canucks.[3] 1999 was his final year in Denver, in which Ozoliņš made $4 million as Colorado's third-highest paid player.[4]

Carolina, Florida and Anaheim

During the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Ozoliņš was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for Nolan Pratt and draft picks that became Václav Nedorost, Jared Aulin, and Agris Saviels. The agreement reunited Ozoliņš with fellow Latvian Artūrs Irbe. They had played together in Latvia and San Jose, shared an agent, and together funded a youth hockey organization that buys equipment for children in Latvia. After expiration of Ozoliņš' Avalanche deal, he signed a five-year contract with Carolina worth more than $25 million. "When you have a player like Sandis, you're willing to spend the money," general manager Jim Rutherford said.[4] Ozoliņš didn't help the Hurricanes to advance in the playoffs, playing just one and a half seasons with Carolina before being traded to the Florida Panthers.

Ozoliņš became a Panther after being acquired in 2001–02 mid-season from Carolina along with Byron Ritchie in exchange for Bret Hedican, Kevyn Adams, Tomáš Malec and a draft pick. Ozoliņš made his Panthers debut against Chicago on January 16, 2002. He wore #44 because #8 was already worn by Peter Worrell. Ozoliņš scored 10 goals and 19 assists in the remaining 37 games of the season. The Panthers did not make the playoffs during his time in Florida.

During the

2002–03 season, the Panthers sent Ozoliņš to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for Matt Cullen, Pavel Trnka, and a draft pick. During the 2003 NHL All-Star weekend (several days after he had been traded), Ozoliņš skipped the NHL All-Star skills competition where he would have had to wear a Panthers uniform. "Participating in the All-Star Game is one thing, but the skills competition is another," said Ozoliņš, who was voted as an Eastern Conference starter. "It would look really unusual for a player to be representing his old team, so I thought this was the right thing to do." He was fined an undisclosed amount by the league.[5] Upon his arrival with the Ducks, Ozoliņš helped the club reach their first Stanley Cup Finals, losing a seven-game series to the New Jersey Devils. In 2003–04, Ozoliņš battled injuries and was limited to 36 games.[6]

NY Rangers and return to San Jose

Following the lockout in

injured reserve
list due to a knee injury.

Ozoliņš later entered into the league's substance abuse program following a drunk driving arrest. After playing 2 games for the Worcester Sharks of the AHL and being cleared to play by doctors within the league's substance abuse program, he signed a one-year contract with San Jose on November 2, 2007. "That was a big turnaround this summer and I'm finally comfortable with what I am and what has happened, I actually feel pretty good and I do what I have to do and I do what I was advised to do. And I do it for myself and not for anybody else," said Ozoliņš.[7] In the 2007–08 NHL season he scored 3 goals and 13 assists in 39 games for the Sharks. He had a notable highlight reel save against the Anaheim Ducks, where as the puck slipped by goalie Evgeni Nabokov, and Ozoliņš slipped and fell as he made a stick save on the goal line.

Kontinental Hockey League

Dinamo Riga

After his season with the Sharks, Ozoliņš was offered a one-year contract by the Los Angeles Kings worth $800,000, but he declined it[8] and went on hiatus from hockey for a year.

On July 13, 2009, Ozoliņš unexpectedly signed a one-year deal with

KHL home country team Dinamo Riga, with whom he started his senior career in 1990. Ozoliņš got back his #8 – the same number which he wore while playing for Dinamo Riga. Ozoliņš was named a captain for the first time in his career. In the 2009–10 KHL season he was the team's leader in points among defensemen, scoring 5 goals and 20 assists in 43 games. In January 2010, Ozoliņš was selected to play on the starting roster for the Jaromír Jágr team in the KHL All-Star game. He was also selected to play in the KHL All-Star skills competition,[9] but, due to a minor injury, only played in the first period and withdrew from the skills competition. On May 18, 2010, Ozoliņš extended his contract with Dinamo for another year, after he declined larger offers from four different KHL teams.[10]

In the first month of the

All-Star Game 2012 (which took place on January 21, 2012) versus the Eastern Conference team captained by Sergei Fedorov.[14][15] On July 12, 2012, Dinamo Riga board member Guntis Ulmanis told Latvian radio station Baltkom that Ozoliņš left KHL team Dinamo Riga as a free agent and could receive lucrative offers from Russian clubs.[citation needed
] Since joining Riga, Ozoliņš had 22 goals and 65 assists in 158 regular season KHL appearances, serving as the team captain for every game. During his time with Dinamo Riga, Ozoliņš set several franchise records as a defenseman.

Atlant Moscow Oblast

On September 24, 2012, Ozoliņš signed a one-year deal with KHL team

2012–13
, Ozoliņš was named team captain and immediately served as a fixture on the blueline, producing 2 goals and 20 points in 42 games.

Return home

In the off-season, Ozoliņš made another return as a free agent to Dinamo Riga, signing a one-year contract on May 8, 2013.[17]

Retirement

On May 27, 2014, during an interview on national television he announced his retirement from professional hockey and plans to move into politics. However, he returned to Dinamo Riga as an assistant coach on October 31, 2016. He was promoted to head coach of the team on May 29, 2017.[18] On November 8, 2022, it was announced that Sandis Ozolinsh had been hired as an Amateur Scout for the Colorado Avalanche organization of whom he won his only Stanley Cup with as a player back in 1996.[19]

International play

Medal record
Representing Commonwealth of Independent States Commonwealth of Independent States
World Junior Championship
Gold medal – first place 1992 Germany Ice hockey
Representing Soviet Union Soviet Union
World Junior Championship
Silver medal – second place 1991 Canada Ice hockey

Ozoliņš, who was born in Latvia, played hockey internationally for the

USSR was formally dissolved and the team was renamed as the Commonwealth of Independent States national junior team. Because Ozoliņš and Sergei Zholtok were from Latvia, which wasn't a member of the CIS, some other teams protested, but the protest was denied.[citation needed
]

Ozoliņš didn't play again internationally until 1998 due to injuries and the NHL playoff schedule. In 1998, after losing with the Avalanche to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs, Ozoliņš was able to rush to

next year's championship as well and one game during the 2002 Winter Olympics Ice hockey tournament. In the game versus Slovakia
, Ozoliņš registered 4 assists, helping Latvia to a 6–6 tie.

After a three-year absence, Ozoliņš helped Latvia qualify for the 2006 Winter Olympics Ice hockey tournament. It was intended to be his last international tournament; he announced his international retirement to the media following the conclusion of the Olympics.[20] In spite of his announced retirement he rejoined team Latvia in their bid to qualify for the 2014 Olympics.[21] The Latvian team, including Ozoliņš, did indeed qualify for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi (and was named captain), where they upset the Swiss to earn a berth in the quarterfinals, then lost to Canada to finish 8th.

Personal life

Ozoliņš was married to his secondary school schoolmate Sandra for more than 15 years, until May 2010 Ozoliņš submitted an application for divorce.

Vilki OP/LaRocca of the Riga Open Championship until it became defunct in 2006. Ozoliņš also owns other Latvian sports ventures, including Latvia's first 18-hole golf course, Ozo Golf Club. In December 2009, Ozoliņš was voted as 2009's most popular sportsman in Latvia by internet voters.[23]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season
Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1990–91 Dinamo Rīga Soviet 44 0 3 3 51
1991–92 Stars Rīga CIS 30 6 0 6 42
1991–92 Kansas City Blades IHL 34 6 9 15 20 15 2 5 7 22
1992–93 San Jose Sharks NHL 37 7 16 23 40
1993–94 San Jose Sharks NHL 81 26 38 64 24 14 0 10 10 8
1994–95 San Jose Sharks NHL 48 9 16 25 30 11 3 2 5 6
1995–96 San Francisco Spiders IHL 2 1 0 1 0
1995–96 San Jose Sharks NHL 7 1 3 4 4
1995–96 Colorado Avalanche NHL 66 13 37 50 50 22 5 14 19 16
1996–97 Colorado Avalanche NHL 80 23 45 68 88 17 4 13 17 24
1997–98 Colorado Avalanche NHL 66 13 38 51 65 7 0 7 7 14
1998–99 Colorado Avalanche NHL 39 7 25 32 22 19 4 8 12 22
1999–2000 Colorado Avalanche NHL 82 16 36 52 46 17 5 5 10 20
2000–01 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 72 12 32 44 71 6 0 2 2 5
2001–02 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 46 4 19 23 34
2001–02 Florida Panthers NHL 37 10 19 29 24
2002–03 Florida Panthers NHL 51 7 19 26 40
2002–03
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
NHL 31 5 13 18 16 21 2 6 8 10
2003–04 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim NHL 36 5 11 16 24
2005–06 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim NHL 17 3 3 6 8
2005–06 New York Rangers NHL 14 2 10 12 12 3 0 0 0 6
2006–07 New York Rangers NHL 21 0 3 3 8
2007–08 Worcester Sharks AHL 2 0 1 1 0
2007–08 San Jose Sharks NHL 39 3 13 16 24
2009–10
Dinamo Rīga
KHL 43 5 20 25 109 6 0 3 3 24
2010–11 Dinamo Rīga KHL 41 6 26 32 62 11 0 7 7 12
2011–12 Dinamo Rīga KHL 50 10 10 20 28 7 1 1 2 2
2012–13 Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL 42 2 18 20 26 5 0 1 1 2
2013–14 Dinamo Rīga KHL 48 5 17 22 46 7 0 2 2 24
NHL totals 875 167 397 564 638 137 23 67 90 131
KHL totals 224 28 89 117 271 36 1 14 15 64

International

Year Team Event   GP G A Pts PIM
1991
Soviet Union
WJC
7 1 2 3 6
1992 CIS WJC 7 1 5 6 4
1998 Latvia
WC
4 1 2 3 4
2001 Latvia WC 6 0 5 5 2
2002 Latvia OG 1 0 4 4 0
2002 Latvia WC 6 2 1 3 12
2005 Latvia OGQ 3 0 1 1 4
2006 Latvia OG 5 1 3 4 2
2013 Latvia OGQ 3 0 0 0 2
2014 Latvia OG 5 0 0 0 8
Junior totals 14 2 7 9 10
Senior totals 33 4 16 20 32

Awards, honors and records

Award Year
IHL
Turner Cup 1992
NHL
All-Star Game 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Stanley Cup (Colorado Avalanche) 1996
First All-Star team 1997
KHL
All-Star Game 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014
First All–Star Team 2011
International
World Junior Ice Hockey Championships Silver Medal 1991
World Junior Ice Hockey Championships Gold Medal 1992
Spengler Cup Silver Medal 2011
Spengler Cup All-Star team 2011
IIHF All-Time Latvia Team 2020

Colorado Avalanche records

  • Most all-time playoff goals by an Avalanche defenseman – 18
  • Most all-time playoff assists by an Avalanche defenseman – 49
  • Most all-time playoff points by an Avalanche defenseman – 67

Transactions

References

  1. ^ "Jaunākie piešķirtie apbalvojumi" (in Latvian). president.com. April 22, 2014. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  2. ^ Cooper, Tony. "Another Big Deal for Sharks/Ozolinsh traded for Avalanche's Nolan," San Francisco Chronicle, Friday, October 27, 1995. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "Sandis Ozolinsh – Game log – National Hockey League – Players". National Hockey League. August 3, 1972. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Hurricanes sign star defenceman Sandis Ozoliņš to five-year deal". Canoe.ca. July 24, 2000. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ Brehm, Mike (February 2, 2003). "All-Star notes: Traded Ozolinsh finds West is East". USA Today. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  6. ^ "NHL Player Search – Player – Sandis Ozolinsh". Legends of Hockey. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  7. ^ "Sandis Ozolinsh – Notes – National Hockey League – Players". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  8. ^ "sportacentrs.com". sportacentrs.com. September 24, 2008. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  9. ^ "Континентальная Хоккейная Лига – Стартовые составы". Khl.ru. January 15, 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  10. ^ a b "sportacentrs.com". sportacentrs.com. January 12, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  11. ^ "Континентальная Хоккейная Лига – Лауреаты сентября". Khl.ru. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  12. ^ "Sandim Ozoliņam nopietns savainojums – dinamoriga.lv". Dinamoriga.eu. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  13. ^ "Континентальная Хоккейная Лига – Голосование завершено". Khl.ru. January 14, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  14. ^ "Kontinental Hockey League – Official Website – Don't miss the stars!". En.khl.ru. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  15. ^ [1] Archived October 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "Atlant sign veteran NHL All-Star Ozolins" (in Russian). Atlant Moscow Oblast. September 24, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  17. ^ "Sandis Ozolins returns to Dinamo Riga" (in Latvian). Dinamo Riga. May 8, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  18. ^ Merk, Martin (May 29, 2017). "Ozolins leads Dinamo Riga". IIHF. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  19. ^ "Sandis Ozolinsh Joins Avalanche Scouting Staff". November 8, 2022.
  20. ^ DELFI (February 21, 2006). "Pēc neveiksmīgās spēles ar Kazahstānu par aiziešanu no izlases paziņo Ozoliņš un Cipruss". Delfi (web portal). Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  21. ^ Latvian roster for the Final Olympic Qualification in Riga. (PDF). Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  22. ^ "Sandis Ozoliņš iesniedzis šķiršanās pieteikumu". Kasjauns.lv. May 29, 2010. Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  23. ^ "Sandis Ozoliņš – populārākais Latvijas sportists internetbalsojumā". Kasjauns.lv. Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2012.

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by Dinamo Riga captain
2009–2012
Succeeded by
Olympic Games
Preceded by Flagbearer for  Latvia
Sochi 2014
Succeeded by