#14 F, Olivers Murnieks
Team: Latvia (Saint John Sea Dogs, QMJHL)
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 195Ibs
Shoots: Left
DOB July 31st, 2008
Overview:
Olivers Murnieks is a well-rounded two-way centerman who brings consistency, smart positioning, and underrated playmaking to every shift. He plays a steady, reliable game, demonstrates support breakouts, winning battles, and linking plays without relying on flash. His stickhandling and footwork are efficient, and he rarely makes poor decisions. Offensively, his shot lacks power but is accurate and creates rebound chances, while his best asset is threading passes through traffic under pressure. Defensively, he’s composed and responsible, excelling in positioning, shot blocking, and penalty killing. His strong compete level keeps him engaged in all zones, using his edges well through transitions. To reach the next level, he’ll need improved shooting mechanics, puck poise, stride efficiency, being more physicaly assertive, but also, he will need to up his pace of play.Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Player Projection
Ceiling: Top 6 Centerman with PP and PK Versatility
Floor: Top 9 Forward with defensive upside
Special Teams: PP (Left Flank/Distributor)/PK
Production Outlook: 50–60~ Points
Pick Range: 30th-45th Overall
Player Comp: Alex Wenberg
Strengths:
- Versatility: Acts as a great sponge for his teammates.
- Defensive Awareness: Consistently positions himself well and disrupts plays with interceptions and shot blocks.
- Poise and Decision Making with the Puck: Composes a very calm and collective mind who makes smart decisions with the puck (Mistake Free).
Weaknesses:
- Shot Power: Needs to improve his mechanics to develop more power, specifically in his hip rotation as his windup.
- Strength and Assertiveness: Although has NHL worthy size, he isn’t fully assertive at throwing the body. He also needs to scrap himself a spot at the net front by being more durable at getting into the dirty areas.
- Lack of Explosiveness/Pace: Plays a little too calm and lacks urgency in certain plays.
In-game Observations:
- At the last-minute mark of the 1st, because of sound positioning, Murnieks was able to be stable and active in the o-zone, being a sponge to maintain o-zone pressure.
- At 6:30 of the 2nd, yet again relying on playing sound in position and outworking the opposition, Murnieks made himself a wide open man in the slot and showcased quick snapshot mechanics, just the goalie made a good save.
- Throughout the game, showcased great timing in the faceoff circle, won a good portion of faceoffs.
- A few occasions in this game, he could have been a bit more engaged at winning races, demonstrating he isn’t consistent with his motor.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 5.5
- Puck Skill: 6
- Scoring Ability: 5
- Playmaking Ability: 6.5
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 7
- Character: 6
- Physicality: 4.5
- Defensive Play: 6.5
#24 F, Daniels Serkins
Team: Latvia (SC Bern, SM-Elite Swiss U20)
Height/Weight: 5’9”, 165Ibs
Shoots: Left
DOB July 24th, 2007
Overview:
Daniels Serkins is a high-motor, two-way center known for his defensive reliability, strong positioning, and relentless compete level. Though undersized, he compensates with explosive edgework and smart support play in all zones, frequently aiding breakouts and engaging in puck battles through timing and anticipation rather than physical strength. Offensively, he plays a simple game—his shot lacks power, but he generates chances through smart positioning, rebound creation, and crisp, accurate passing. However, he struggles with puck control under pressure and can rush decisions, particularly when space tightens. On the power play, he’s learning to exploit soft coverage areas but must focus on consistently putting pucks on net rather than aiming for perfection. Defensively, he truly excels on the penalty kill with strong gap control, fearless shot blocking, and disciplined reads. His compete level stands out every shift, consistently backchecking hard and sacrificing his body when needed. What really helps out his defensive play mentioned earlier is his explosive edges. Although he does not get the most power from his stride, his quick footwork allows him to explode quickly in order to win puck battles.
Player Projection
Ceiling: NHL 3C / Penalty Kill Specialist
Floor: AHL Top 6 Forward
Special Teams: PK
Production Outlook: 15–25 Point Energy Forward
Pick Range: 170th–230th Overall
Player Comp: Blake Lizotte
Strengths:
- Versatility: Acts as a great sponge for his teammates.
- Defensive Awareness: Consistently positions himself well and disrupts plays with interceptions and shot blocks.
- Compete Level: Willingness to do anything for the team (Blocking shots, getting involved hard in puck battles)
Weaknesses:
- Shooting Consistency: Needs to improve his mechanics to develop more power, most importantly, his mentality of getting shots on goal and not overly perfecting it yet.
- Puck Skills: Needs to develop poise and confidence with the puck at a steady pace, not trying to force a play and letting the game come to him.
- Size/Strength: Although showcases tremendous hustle at winning puck battles, he gets muscled off pucks easily due to smaller frame.
In-game Observations:
- At 0:50 of the 2nd period, when Serkins had the puck, he was spinning around a bit too much to the point where he jammed himself and turned the puck over. Lack of explosiveness.
- At 8:50 of the 2nd, Serkins first made himself an option on the rush, showcasing heavy one-timer, then showcases ability to backcheck hard and win back puck possession in the neutral zone.
- Showed consistency throughout this game at winning faceoffs in safe directions.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 6
- Puck Skill: 5
- Scoring Ability: 5
- Playmaking Ability: 4
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
- Character: 7
- Physicality: 3
- Defensive Play: 7
#18 F, Roberts Naudins
Team: Latvia (Shattuck St. Mary’s, USHS)
Height/Weight: 6’6″, 194 lbs
Shoots: Left
DOB: November 18th, 2008
Overview:
Roberts Naudins is a rangy, two-way forward who pairs a 6’6” frame with surprising agility and playmaking instincts. A standout for Latvia, Naudins uses his reach and vision to support offensive zone possessions and create space for teammates. He’s most effective when carrying the puck through the neutral zone, drawing defenders toward him, and opening passing lanes. Though not flashy, his ability to read the ice and make subtle plays elevates those around him. Defensively, he shows strong awareness and positional responsibility, consistently using his length to clog lanes and disrupt opposing rushes. Despite his size, Naudins isn’t yet fully engaged physically, oftenly avoiding contact and needs to improve his board play and puck protection. His stride lacks full extension, limiting his top-end speed, and his shot release is too slow to beat quality goaltenders consistently. Additionally, decision-making under pressure can falter as he overhandles the puck instead of simplifying plays.
Player Projection
Ceiling: Top 6 Centerman with PP and PK Versatility
Floor: Middle 6 Checking Forward with some offensive upside
Special Teams: PP Net Front Presence/PK 2
Production Outlook: 50–60 Point Power-forward
Pick Range: Top 20 Pick, 2027 Draft
Player Comp: Aliaksei Protas
Strengths:
- Offensive Awareness and Support: Being a dependable player who lure’s his opponents in which creates support for his teammates by generating more open ice.
- Lateral Movement for someone who is 6’6”: Gains a positional advantage due to his smoothness from one movement to the next.
- Defensive Reliability and Positional Awareness: Positionally sound in his own end and leverages play with the use of his long reach.
Weaknesses:
- Stride Mechanics: Doesn’t generate the most speed due to shorter leg extensions.
- Quickness in his shooting mechanics: Needs to be quicker in his hip rotation to get the most out of his shot.
- Consistency in his decision making with the puck: Sometimes faulters under pressure and not leveraging his size enough for him to feel comfortable with the puck.
In-game Observations:
- Throughout the 2nd period, showcased ability to keep his feet moving very quickly, creating himself space in the o-zone, away from opposition.
- At 16:30 of the 2nd, showcased crisp puck distribution and utilized teammates well, was credited with a secondary assist on Latvia’s 4th goal.
- At 6:30 of the 3rd, Naudins temporarily lost the puck, backchecked and hustled hard, won the puck back and kept o-zone pressure alive.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 6
- Puck Skill: 5.5
- Scoring Ability: 4
- Playmaking Ability: 5.5
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
- Character: 5
- Physicality: 6
- Defensive Play: 6
#19 F, Bruno Osmanis
Team: Latvia (IF Björklöven, HockeyAllsvenskan)
Height/Weight 5’11”, 172Ibs
Shoots: Right
DOB: December 16th, 2006
Overview:
On the ice, he moves like a race car, combining swift agility with dynamic puck skills. A dynamic winger, Osmanis rarely misses finding open teammates, whether its from down low behind the net, or on the PP flank. His shot showcases great accuracy due to him following through on his shots, but he will need to not only build more lower core strength but also put a bit more emphasis in hip rotation to get more power off. He shows excellent offensive awareness, often in the right place to break up plays or create scoring chances. Defensively, he’s slightly, average capable of a solid poke check but tends to play too low, leaving a lot of space at the point. Where his game really excels is in his playmaking as he showcases tremendous vision and understands how to utilize his teammates. This is due to the smooth hands and good that he brings. Where his game drops is he doesn’t seem to be willing to bring some grit and plays the game on the outside instead of building confidence by driving to the net and getting into the dirty areas. This is where he needs to get stronger physically and be willing to throw the body.
Player Projection:
Ceiling: Top-9 Scoring Forward
Floor: AHL Top 6
Special Teams: PP2
Production Outlook: 15~ Goals, 35-40~ Points
Pick Range: 170th~ Overall
Strengths:
- Lateral Movement: Osmanis is great at utilizing his tomahawking ability to cut around the opposition.
- Puck Handling: His quick hands are as agile as his feet, great at stride deking through the opposition.
- Vision/Offensive Awareness: Showcases great ability to utilize his teammates, can thread pucks through crowds. Though, he is over reliant on this strength.
Weaknesses:
- Lack of Size/Physicality: He really needs to build on muscle, gets not only muscled off pucks very easily, but also plays too passive physically.
- Defensive Positioning: He can sometimes get out of position defensively, creating openings for the opposition from the point.
In-game Observations:
- Throughout the whole game, although plays well in his position, he plays too passive on the outside, not getting active enough physically.
- At 16:50 of the 1st, Osmanis jumped on a loose puck, created his own rush and cut through the opposition, this led to him getting an assist off of Latvia’s first goal.
- At 6:05 of the 2nd, although known for playmaking, he did a good job developing a shooting mentality of getting pucks off quickly, just the goaltender made a better save.
- At 9:52 of the 3rd, Osmanis took advantage of the faceoff dot immediately on the PP, displayed quick hip rotation and full follow through on shot, scored top shelf.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 6.5
- Puck Skills: 6.5
- Scoring Ability: 6
- Playmaking Ability: 6.5
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 5
- Character: 5
- Physicality: 3
- Defensive Play: 3