The first thing that stood out when watching Sandis Ozolins was his phenomenal skating. This was understandable, given that he started with figure skating. He also had his first steps in hockey as a forward, throughout his school years. He didn’t particularly stand out. And he might never have played at a high level if it weren’t for the coach in the Dinamo Riga’s system Vasily Tikhonov, son of the legendary Viktor Vasilyevich, who moved him to defense. This is the secret behind Ozolins’ scoring ability and his love for joining the attacks.
Sandis Ozolins
260 games, 132 (29+103) points.
Gold (1992) and silver (1991) medalist at the World Junior Championships.
Golden Helmet award recipient (2011).
KHL All-Star Game (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014).
Spengler Cup finals (2011).
KHL All-Star Game MVP (2012).
Flag bearer at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.
Sep 12, 2009 First KHL game with Dinamo Riga.
Sep 19, 2009 First KHL goal against Spartak.
May 20, 2011 Selected in the first KHL All-Star Team.
In defense, Ozolins excelled instantly. At just 18 years old, he secured a spot on the roster of the team that had faced CSKA in the final only two years prior. He played alongside stars like Oleg Znarok and Harijs Vitolins, Arturs Irbe and Igors Pavlovs, and the trio of Aleksandrs Belavskis, Vjaceslavs Fanduls, and Aleksandrs Kercs. Alongside them grew a talented defenseman who, at that time, was still wearing the jersey number 24 instead of his iconic 8.
The 1990-1991 season was Ozolins first and last full season with Dinamo Riga. During the following season, he left for North America, having already won gold and silver at the World Junior Championships.
In North America, Ozolins had an excellent career, often scoring 50-60 points per season. He participated in seven NHL All-Star Games. In 1996, he lifted the Stanley Cup with Colorado, and in the following season, he achieved a career-high 68 points (23 goals, 45 assists). That year, he was nominated for the NHL’s Best Defenseman award and was named to the First All-Star Team.
Ozolins best seasons were with San Jose and Colorado. He likely could have maintained his high level of performance even after turning 30, but his career faced challenges that were resolved by the time he arrived in the KHL.
Ozolins played five seasons in the league, retiring just shy of 42 years old. He could have ended his career 10 years earlier, but he “stopped at the edge of the abyss.” This is how the player, who struggled with excessive alcohol consumption, described his life at that time. However, the support from Anaheim, his family, a special program, and meetings with Alcoholics Anonymous helped him return to a normal life and continue his career.
One of the strategic goals of the KHL at its inception was to bring the CIS member states closer together through hockey. Shortly after the project was announced, all post-Soviet countries with developed hockey scenes – Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Latvia – declared their participation. In Latvia, the decision was made to revive the Soviet brand of Dinamo Riga to play in the KHL.
Hockey had always been loved in Latvia and its capital city, and it had been cultivated since the early 20th century – the national championship was held long before the first USSR league. There was no doubt that the club would be popular in its hometown, especially since all the country’s strongest players were called under the Dinamo banner, essentially creating a national team. The team’s first KHL season was respectable – finishing 10th in the regular season and being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by their Moscow namesakes. Ahead of the next season, the club pulled off one of the most sensational transfers in KHL history.
The main faces of Latvian hockey were Arturs Irbe and Sandis Ozolins. Naturally, Dinamo’s leaders and fans dreamed of seeing both in the club. But Irbe had retired in 2007 and joined the Riga side in 2008 as a goalie coach, leaving a season later to work in Washington. Ozolins missed the entire first KHL season, seemingly ending his career. However, in May 2009, Dinamo’s then-GM, Normunds Sejejs, sent an SMS to his former longtime Dinamo and national team partner.
“I didn't believe he would consider resuming his career. I just wanted to chat. At that time, we received several offers for players from North America. I wanted to consult with him as an expert on the overseas market. We ended up talking on the phone, and word by word, here's the result – he’s signed with Dinamo.”
Normunds Sejejs
After signing a one-year contract, Ozolins addressed Dinamo fans in an open letter:
“I am returning to the club where I began my professional career. This decision was carefully considered. Despite the surge of emotions, my choice is based on a clear goal and professional attitude. I am almost 37 years old, and I am accepting this challenge. Although my best years are behind me, I hope I can still be useful to the team. Be wise and knowledgeable in your judgment of me. I don’t promise miracles, but I swear to give my all to the game.”
During the preseason, Ozolins was selected by his teammates as Dinamo’s captain. The defenseman quickly became one of the key figures in the KHL. While in America, he had a reputation for being wary of journalists and literally running away from them. However, in the Russian league, he communicated with ease and confidence.
Jan 20-21, 2012 Became the captain of one of the KHL All-Star teams in Riga.
Feb 7, 2014 Flag bearer for Latvia at the Sochi Olympics.
May 27, 2014 Retirement as a player.
Aug 22, 2017 Debut as a KHL head coach.
Jan 16-Apr 30, 2022 Worked as an assistant coach for Torpedo.
With such an experienced and skilled player on the team, Dinamo’s game became more confident, and the team’s results improved. In the 2010 Gagarin Cup playoffs, Riga knocked out the Western Conference winner SKA in the first round. In the four games of that series, Ozolins posted three assists.
In the next round, Dinamo faced HC MVD and seemed to have a good chance to advance further. However, in game two, Ozolins sustained an injury and couldn’t return to the ice for the rest of the season. Riga lost the series 1-4, with the last two games being decided in extra time.
A year later, Dynamo Moscow faced the same fate as SKA. Before the playoffs, they strengthened their roster with acclaimed Slovak and Canadian forwards Miroslav Satan and Chris Simon. This time, Ozolins assisted his teammates five times in six games. In the second round, the Latvian team lost again. However, it should be noted that making it to the top eight teams in the KHL was a significant achievement for a club with such a small budget.
In 2012, Ozolins moved to Atlant. Without their captain, Riga failed to make the playoffs for the first time in their KHL history. After a year in Mytishchi, the defenseman returned to his home team and, after one season, retired. That championship was the last time Dinamo Riga competed in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
Ozolins was remembered not only for his excellent play and willingness to talk to the press. During his time in the KHL, the fighting philosophy of Vityaz had not yet changed. The Moscow Region team featured a number of enforcers who regularly beat up regular hockey players, who for obvious reasons couldn’t fight back effectively.
Such a situation occurred on Oct 9, 2011. Dynamo thrashed Vityaz in Chekhov 7:1. Ozolins scored two goals and had an assist. At the end of the third period, a fight broke out. Ozolins found himself paired with Jeremy Yablonski. After the referees broke them up, a strip of blood was visible on the Canadian’s forehead.
“I stood up for Cibulskis because I had no other choice. Yablonski threw me down, and a carousel spun on the ice. There’s always fear of facing an ice killer. But everyone does what they think is necessary at that moment, and I’m no exception. Frankly, I don’t know who in the KHL could match up to Yablonski.”
Ozolins left his mark in the KHL not only as a player. Two years after calling it a career, he became an assistant coach for Dinamo Riga, and in May 2017, he took over as head coach. However, his first experience in this role was unsuccessful — Dinamo lost 14 out of 16 games, and by the end of September, he was dismissed.
Nevertheless, Ozolins didn’t just give up coaching. He accepted a lower position and spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Torpedo. A year ago, he went to work in North America. It’s clear that Ozolins enjoys working in hockey. Who knows, maybe we’ll see him behind the bench of a KHL club again.
Sandis Ozolins
Born Aug 3, 1972 in Sigulda (Latvian SSR)
Playing career: 1990-1992, 2009-2012, 2013-2014 – Dinamo Riga/Stars Riga, 1991-1992 – Kansas City Blades, 1992-1995, 2007-2008 – San Jose Sharks, 1995-2000 – Colorado Avalanche, 2000-2002 – Carolina Hurricanes, 2002-2003 – Florida Panthers, 2003-2006 – Anaheim Ducks, 2006-2007 – New York Rangers, 2012-2013 - Atlant.
Player achievements: Stanley Cup champion (1996), gold (1992) and silver (1991) medal at the World Junior Championships.
Coaching career: 2016-2017 – Dinamo Riga, assistant, 2017 – Dinamo Riga, head coach, 2018-2022 – Torpedo, assistant.