SportsPublished: 30 September 2026 at 15:21

NHL season opens: Šmits debuts in Boston, Vilmanis wins, Bluger also in action

On the opening day of the new NHL regular season, young Latvian defenseman Alberts Šmits made his league debut, while Sandis Vilmanis' Florida team claimed an overtime victory.

The new NHL regular season began with its first games, featuring three Latvian hockey players on the ice.

Šmits debuts in Boston

The 18-year-old defenseman Alberts Šmits made his NHL debut wearing a New York Rangers jersey. The game was played in Boston, where the Rangers suffered a defeat.

Toronto also loses, Vilmanis delivers

Toronto, featuring Teodors Bluger in its lineup, also lost its game. Meanwhile, Florida, the team Sandis Vilmanis plays for, managed to secure a win in overtime.

Of the three teams featuring Latvian players in their season-opening games, only Florida came away with a victory.

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