At 21, Latvian forward Dans Ločmelis is poised to make his Olympic debut at the upcoming Winter Games, building on a promising career already marked by three World Championship appearances and a bronze medal in 2023. Currently navigating his first full professional season with the Providence Bruins, Ločmelis recently shared insights into his growth and the growing anticipation surrounding the Olympics within the Latvian national team. The young star discussed his journey from NCAA hockey to the AHL and what it will take to succeed on the international stage in a recent interview with “Sporta studija.”
At 21 years old, Latvian forward Dans Ločmelis is preparing for his fourth major international tournament – following three previous World Championship appearances, including a bronze medal win in 2023 – as he makes his Olympic debut. The rising star recently discussed his first full professional season and the growing excitement surrounding the upcoming Games within his team’s locker room in an interview with “Sporta studija.”
National team forward Ločmelis on his first full season in adult hockey and the hottest topic in the locker room
Ločmelis has already represented his country in 21 official games, scoring six goals and adding three assists.
“It’s always great to come to the national team – it’s a different kind of hockey, a refresh from the season, and a chance to speak Latvian with the guys,” the forward said.
He received the call from national team head coach Harijs Vītoliņš, with a hint of Olympic inclusion, while on vacation in the Dominican Republic.
Ločmelis is currently in his first full professional season with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL), the second-highest level of North American hockey behind the NHL. The Bruins compete in the Atlantic Division, which offers a relatively light travel schedule. “We’re lucky with travel – if we do have to go somewhere, for example, we’ll go to Canada, spend a week there, play five games, and then come home.”
The AHL regular season is demanding, with stretches of nine games in 17 days. “Hockey can be all-consuming during those times,” Ločmelis admitted with a laugh. “There are fewer practices, more games, and you have to know how to recover, but at least it’s something different.”
“In professional hockey, the game is smarter; you try not to just rush in blindly.”
He focuses on maximizing recovery opportunities whenever possible to stay sharp for three games in a row.
This season, the young forward is the team’s second-leading scorer with 15 goals in 41 games and ranks fifth overall with 28 points. He currently sits 30th in the league’s goal-scoring rankings and 72nd in overall points. Previously, during his time in NCAA college hockey, Ločmelis was known for his playmaking abilities, a shift he attributes to a change in mindset and a focus on shooting more.
Ločmelis already made an impact at the professional level last season, racking up 12 points (3 goals, 9 assists) in just six games. “That helped because when I arrived at training camp in the summer, I already knew everyone. We have a really good team.”
He’s developed a particularly strong relationship with American forward Patrick Brown, who also competed for the United States at the 2023 World Championship, where Latvia secured its bronze medal. “He’s helped me a lot with his example, both on and off the ice. We’ve formed a very good connection.”
Ločmelis describes AHL hockey as very aggressive, singling out the Springfield Thunderbirds as a particularly physical opponent. “We play them 12 times a year. They can’t beat us, so they try to get under our skin with some rough play. Those games are usually more intense.”
Ločmelis and Sandis Vilmanis, both born in 2004, are both making waves in professional hockey, with Vilmanis already making his debut and scoring for the Florida Panthers. While they haven’t made any formal bets on who would reach the NHL first, Ločmelis jokingly admitted to once asking Vilmanis to cover the cost of dinner. “The salary is about ten times higher there,” the forward quipped.
According to Ločmelis, many AHL players have the potential to play in the NHL, but teams prioritize immediate results and seek the best available talent. “I haven’t had any direct communication with the Boston Bruins organization. It’s mostly the development coaches, who work between the Bruins and Providence, who come to watch us and skate with us. I get to talk to them, but there hasn’t been any talk about a call-up. I’m trying to focus on my game so it’s easier for them to make a decision.”
Ločmelis isn’t lacking playing time, averaging around 17 minutes per game, and is a versatile player utilized on both the power play and penalty kill. “The more power plays and penalty kills, the more ice time. I get to play everywhere.”
As the Winter Olympics approach, the excitement is palpable, even within the team’s locker room. “I haven’t looked closely at the rosters, but my teammates are very interested in it. I get a lot of questions about our lineup, so the Olympics are becoming a hotter topic.”
His dream is to compete against the best, and he’ll have that opportunity in the opening game on February 12th against a star-studded Team USA. On February 14th, Latvia will face Germany, followed by a match against Denmark on February 15th.
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