Other events in Baltic States

Three Latvian hockey players, Martins Dzierkals, Karlis Cukste and Rudolf Balcers, were selected by different National Hockey League (NHL) clubs in the NHL draft on June 27^th 2015, informs LETA.

Forward Martins Dzierkals was selected by Toronto "Maple Leafs" and defenseman Karlis Cukste by San Jose "Sharks" in the third round of the draft. Forward Rudolfs Balcers was selected by also the "Sharks" in the fifth round.

All three have played in the Latvian national U-18 team, and all were among the highest scorers on the team.

Rudolfs Balcers in New York became the third Latvian player to be selected in this year's NHL draft. San Jose "Sharks" tapped the rising star in the fifth round at #142.

Previously, in the third round at #68, forward Martins Dzierkalis was chosen by Toronto, but in the fifth round at #130 – defender Karlis Cukste (also San Jose).