TORONTO - Martins Dzierkals smiles at the
recollection: June 27, 2015, the day he
was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“It was
amazing,” said Dzierkals, the 68th player taken in the 2015 NHL
draft. “I was watching it online and everyone was like a big boom in Latvia.
Everyone was congratulating me from friends and family. It was a big thing.
That was one of the happiest days of my life.”
Tonight, the 19-year-old forward will lead his underdog
Latvia team against Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Toronto.
Even though the Latvians have lost both games in the
event having been been outscored 15-2, Dzierkals is soaking in his time at the
Air Canada Centre.
“It’s an amazing experience,” said Dzierkals, who as
an assist thus far. “I bet when we play against Canada the rink is going to be full
and the crowd is going to be amazing. I hope this isn’t the only time I play
here. It’s been fun.”
The native of Ogre, Latvia has played the last two
years with Rouyn-Noranda of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He has 27
points in 22 games this season and will be going head to head against a couple
of his junior teammates tonight as Phillipe Myers and Jeremy Lauzon patrol the
Canadian blueline.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 173 pounds, Dzierkals grew up
cheering for the handful of Latvians who made it to the NHL.
“For me it was (Sandis) Ozolinsh, Artus Irbe,” said Dzierkals.
“That is a big inspiration for me. Now I am an example to the young kids because
these players were an example to me.”
Dzierkals has attended rookie and main camps with the Maple
Leafs and hopes to make a more permanent return to the Air Canada Centre in the
future.
“They have a lot of young talent and are doing really
good this year,” said Dzierkals. “They are going to keep building every year.”
“They are going to get a cup for sure in the next
couple of years and I want to be a part of it.”
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