Sandis Ozolinsh

Sandis Ozolinsh is a Latvian defenseman on Dinamo Riga.

Ozolinsh was one of the first Latvians to have a successful NHL career, after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by San Jose. The previous season, he had played a full season with Dinamo Riga in the Russian Super league, as well as posted solid numbers at the World Juniors with the Soviet Union. He joined San Jose in 1992, and played the next three years with the club before being traded to Colorado in 1995. He had a breakout season in 1993-94, scoring 26 goals and 64 points for the Sharks. After being traded to Colorado in 1995, he recorded 50 points with the Avalanche, and added 19 more in the playoffs, helping them win the Stanley Cup that season. He played another four years with the Avs, setting a career high with 45 assists and 68 points, along with 88 penalty minutes in 1996-97. He joined the Carolina Hurricanes in 2000, and played parts of two seasons with the Canes before being traded to Florida in 2002. He was dealt to Anaheim midway through the 2002-03 season, and watched his production slowly deteriorate, scoring just 16 points in 2003-04. After the lockout, he was traded to the New York Rangers, but played in only 40 games with the club before being traded back to San Jose in 2007. He retired from the NHL in 2008, and signed with Dinamo Riga in 2009, where he was promptly named team captain. He put up 25 points and 109 penalty minutes in his first season with the club.

Ozolinsh has played for Latvia at a number of international competitions, including the 2002 and 2006 Olympic Games, where he accumulated 1 goal and 8 points over the course of 6 games.