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Bruins prospect among 7 Boston players named to Olympic rosters
Dans Locmelis impressed playing for Latvia at World Championships in May.
Six players on the Bruins’ NHL roster will represent their respective countries during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina next month.
Defenseman Charlie McAvoy and goaltender Jeremy Swayman will play for Team USA, while forwards David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha will skate for Czechia. Center Elias Lindholm made Sweden’s roster, while defenseman Henrik Jokiharju will represent Finland.
But, Boston had another player make the cut for the Winter Games. Prospect Dans Locmelis will play for Latvia.
Locmelis, 21, has elevated his stock in recent months as one of Boston’s top youngsters — scoring 12 goals and recording nine assists in 30 games for the Providence Bruins this season.
Drafted by Boston in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Locmelis has emerged as a potential NHLer amid his brief stint in the pro ranks.
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After spending two seasons at UMass, the Latvian-born forward thrived in his first taste of action in the AHL last spring, recording 12 points (three goals, nine assists) over just six games with the Providence Bruins.
The two-way forward carried that strong play over to the World Championships with Latvia in May, scoring four goals and six points over seven games. The forward even garnered praise from Sidney Crosby for his play on the international stage.
“I just realized I can play at this level, and now you play against a Canadian team full of NHL players, and I felt like I can keep up with them,” Locmelis said at Warrior Ice Arena in September. “Maybe not dominate them yet, but I just feel I can play at their level.”
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The Bruins’ burgeoning prospect pool has impressed on the international stage as of late. While Team USA didn’t medal at World Juniors this year, Bruins prospect Will Zellers led that team with five goals and eight points over five games. James Hagens ranked second with two goals and five assists during the tournament.
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