Kristiāns Rubīns

Kristiāns Rubīns
Kristiāns Rubīns, 2023
Born (1997-12-11) 11 December 1997
Riga, Latvia
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 227 lb (103 kg; 16 st 3 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
ELH team
Former teams		 HC Škoda Plzeň
VIK Västerås HK
Frederikshavn White Hawks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Modo Hockey
National team  Latvia
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2018–present

Kristiāns Rubīns (born 11 December 1997) is a Latvian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman for HC Plzeň of the Czech Extraliga (ELH). Playing with the Latvian national team, Rubīns played a central role in the country's first-ever medal at World Championships in 2023.

Playing career

Rubīns played for Latvian junior hockey clubs before departing for Sweden at age 15, joining VIK Västerås HK's junior club.[1] He made his professional debut in the HockeyAllsvenskan with VIK Västerås HK in the 2014–15 season, appearing in ten games, going scoreless. The following season he spent the majority of the season with the junior club, making only four appearances in HockeyAllsvenskan, going scoreless.[2] He was selected by the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the first round, 16th overall, in the Canadian Hockey League's Import Draft.[1] In his first season with Medicine Hat in 2016–17, he played in 49 games, scoring three goals and 21 assists for 24 points.[2] The Tigers qualified for the playoffs by topping the Central Division but were eventually eliminated by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the second round.[3] In the playoffs, Rubīns made eleven appearances, recording seven assists.[2] He returned to the Tigers for the 2017–18 season, making 60 appearances and marking seven goals and 27 points.[2] The Tigers made the playoffs and in a rematch of the first round from the previous season, faced the Brandon Wheat Kings. This time, the Wheat Kings got the better of the Tigers, eliminating them.[4] In six playoff games, Rubīns tallied one goal and four points.[2]

On 3 August 2018, he signed a professional contract with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL.[5] He scored the first goal in franchise history in a 3–2 loss to the Florida Everblades.[1] In 56 games in the 2018–19 season with the Growlers, he scored two goals and 16 points.[2] While with the Growlers, he signed a contract with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL) in October 2018.[6] He made 15 appearances for the Marlies, recording three assists.[2] The Growlers topped the North Division and advanced to the playoffs. He helped the team win the Kelly Cup in the franchise's first season.[7] In 17 playoff games, Rubīns added one goal and three points.[2]

On 3 July 2019, the Marlies re-signed Rubīns.[8] During the 2019–20 season, Rubīns remained in the AHL for the duration of the campaign, posting two goals and 14 points in 47 games before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.[2][9] On 2 April 2020, Rubīns was signed as an undrafted free agent to a two-year, entry-level contract by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).[10]

While the AHL remained shut down, Rubīns returned to Europe and played for the Frederikshavn White Hawks of the Danish Metal Ligaen on loan.[11] In 21 games with the White Hawks, he registered two goals and five points.[2] When AHL play resumed for the 2020–21 season, Rubīns returned to the Marlies where he tallied one goal and three points in 22 games.[2][11] In the abbreviated season the Marlies finished fouth in the Canadian Division.[12]

He began the 2021–22 season with the Marlies before being recalled by the Maple Leafs on 4 November 2021 with Travis Dermott's ability to play unsure.[13] He did not see any game time until 7 December when he made his NHL debut, a 5–4 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.[11][14] He made three appearances for the Maple Leafs going scoreless. In 58 games with the Marlies, he scored one goal and 11 points.[2] The Marlies finished sixth in their division and out of the playoffs.[15]

At the conclusion of his NHL debut season, Rubīns was not extended a qualifying offer by the Maple Leafs to retain his exclusive playing rights, and he was subsequently released to unrestricted free agency. On 13 July 2022, the opening day of free agency, Rubīns signed as a free agent with the Ottawa Senators to a one-year, two way-contract.[16] In the 2022–23 season, Rubīns contributed with two goals and six points through 42 games with Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators.[2] He missed eight games with a leg injury.[17]

On 10 March 2023, Rubīns was traded by Ottawa to the Calgary Flames in exchange for future considerations.[18] Upon joining the Flames, Rubīns was immediately assigned to the Calgary Wranglers, the team's AHL affiliate for the remainder of the season.[19] He made three regular season appearances with the Wranglers, marking two assists.[2] The Wranglers finished atop the Pacific Division and got a bye to the second round of the playoffs. The Wranglers beat the Abbotsford Canucks to move on to the semifinals but were knocked out by the Coachella Valley Firebirds.[20] Rubīns made six playoff appearances, scoring one goal and three points.[2]

On 6 June 2023, as a pending free agent from the Flames, Rubīns opted to halt his North American career by signing a one-year contract with the newly-promoted Swedish club, Modo Hockey of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).[21] In his lone season with Modo, he tallied four goals and ten points in 44 games.[2]

In June 2024, Rubīns signed a deal with HC Škoda Plzeň of the Czech Extraliga.[22] On 22 December, he signed a two-year extension with the club.[23] In his first season in the Extraliga, he posted ten goals and 25 points. He added two assists in four playoff games.[2]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Latvia
Ice hockey
World Championships
2023 Finland/Latvia

Rubīns represented Latvia through the junior level. He was selected by head coach Bob Hartley for Latvia's roster in the 2018 IIHF World Championship.[24] He made his debut in the opening game against Norway.[25] Rubīns was selected to represent the Latvian national team in the 2022 Winter Olympics,[26] but did not play for them when the NHL announced that its players would not be permitted to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics.[27]

He represented Latvia at the 2023 IIHF World Championship where he recorded two goals, including the game-winning overtime goal to defeat the United States and won a bronze medal, Latvia's first ever IIHF World Championship medal.[28][29]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 Prizma/Pārdaugava LAT U16 24 6 12 18 20 — — — — —
2012–13 Prizma/Pārdaugava LAT U16 — 14 13 27 — — — — — —
2012–13 Prizma/Pārdaugava LAT U18 20 11 7 18 22 — — — — —
2013–14 VIK Västerås HK J18 22 5 10 15 22 — — — — —
2013–14 VIK Västerås HK J18 Allsv 18 5 3 8 50 5 0 1 1 4
2014–15 VIK Västerås HK J18 2 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2014–15 VIK Västerås HK J18 Allsv 2 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2014–15 VIK Västerås HK J20 31 4 3 7 14 2 0 0 0 0
2014–15 VIK Västerås HK Allsv 10 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
2015–16 VIK Västerås HK J20 21 3 8 11 14 — — — — —
2015–16 VIK Västerås HK Allsv 4 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2016–17 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 49 3 21 24 14 11 0 7 7 8
2017–18 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 60 7 20 27 36 6 1 3 4 2
2018–19 Newfoundland Growlers ECHL 56 2 16 18 28 17 1 2 3 23
2018–19 Toronto Marlies AHL 15 0 3 3 4 1 0 0 0 0
2019–20 Toronto Marlies AHL 47 2 12 14 6 — — — — —
2020–21 Frederikshavn White Hawks DEN 21 2 3 5 2 — — — — —
2020–21 Toronto Marlies AHL 22 1 2 3 8 — — — — —
2021–22 Toronto Marlies AHL 58 1 10 11 24 — — — — —
2021–22 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 3 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
2022–23 Belleville Senators AHL 42 2 4 6 25 — — — — —
2022–23 Calgary Wranglers AHL 3 0 2 2 0 6 1 2 3 0
2023–24 MoDo Hockey SHL 44 4 6 10 14 — — — — —
NHL totals 3 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
SHL totals 44 4 6 10 14 — — — — —

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2014 Latvia U18 D1A 11th 5 0 0 0 25
2015 Latvia WJC D1A 13th 5 0 4 4 2
2015 Latvia U18 9th 6 0 2 2 2
2016 Latvia WJC D1A 11th 5 0 1 1 0
2017 Latvia WJC 10th 6 0 0 0 2
2018 Latvia WC 8th 8 1 1 2 2
2021 Latvia WC 11th 6 1 1 2 2
2021 Latvia OGQ Q 3 1 1 2 2
2022 Latvia WC 10th 4 0 0 0 0
2023 Latvia WC 4 2 0 2 2
2024 Latvia OGQ Q 2 1 2 3 0
Junior totals 27 0 7 7 31
Senior totals 27 6 5 11 8

Awards and honours

Award Year
ECHL
Kelly Cup champion 2019 [30]

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Unexpected Journey: Rubins' Road to the NHL". Medicine Hat Tigers. 16 June 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2026 – via CHL.ca.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Kristians Rubins". Hockeydb.com. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
  3. ^ "2016-17 Year in Review: Part 2 – Big Games". Medicine Hat Tigers. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2026 – via CHL.ca.
  4. ^ "Tigers Lose Heartbreak 4-3 in OT". Medicine Hat Tigers. 1 April 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2026 – via CHL.ca.
  5. ^ "Growlers sign rookie defenseman Rubins". ECHL. 3 August 2018. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  6. ^ Coulter, Shannon (1 April 2020). "Maple Leafs sign defenceman Kristians Rubins to two-year contract". Sportsnet. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Kelly Cup win is like 'a dream' for Newfoundland Growlers". CBC News. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Marlies Re-Sign Five Players". Toronto Marlies. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 25 February 2026 – via OurSportsCentral.
  9. ^ "AHL suspends play". American Hockey League. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 13 March 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Maple Leafs sign Filip Kral and Kristians Rubins". Toronto Maple Leafs. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020 – via NHL.com.
  11. ^ a b c Ellis, Steven (7 December 2021). "Kristians Rubins' Journey from Latvia to the NHL". The Hockey News. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  12. ^ Chaimovitch 2025, p. 288.
  13. ^ "Ice Chips: Sens' Zaitsev not 100 per cent, out vs. Vegas". TSN. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  14. ^ "Rubins makes NHL debut". ECHL. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  15. ^ Chaimovitch 2025, p. 289.
  16. ^ "Senators sign Kristians Rubins to one-year, two-way deal". Sportsnet. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Game Day Build-Up: Senators begin holiday stretch drive with weekend in Winnipeg". Belleville Senators. 17 December 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  18. ^ "Flames acquire Kristians Rubins". Calgary Flames. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023 – via NHL.com.
  19. ^ "Flames' Kristians Rubins: Off to Calgary". CBS Sports. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  20. ^ Chaimovitch 2025, p. 290.
  21. ^ "Kristians Rubins ny back i MoDo Hockey!" [Kristians Rubins new defenseman with Modo] (in Swedish). Modo Hockey. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Plzeňskou obranu vyztuží lotyšský obránce Kristians Rubins" [Plzen's defense will be reinforced by Latvian defenseman Kristians Rubins] (in Czech). HC Škoda Plzeň. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  23. ^ "Kristians Rubins zůstává indiánem na další dvě sezóny!" [Kristians Rubins remains Indian for the next two seasons!] (in Czech). HC Škoda Plzeň. 22 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  24. ^ "Paziņots Latvijas hokeja izlases kaujas sastāvs pasaules čempionātam" [Latvian national ice hockey team's tournament line-up for the World Championship has been announced]. DELFI sports (in Latvian). 2 May 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  25. ^ "Team LAT match stats". International Ice Hockey Federation. 5 May 2018. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  26. ^ "Latvia adds Balcers, Girgensons and Rubins to Beijing 2022 roster". TSN. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  27. ^ Gulitti, Tom (22 December 2021). "NHL players will not participate in 2022 Beijing Olympics". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  28. ^ Akroyd, Lucas (28 May 2023). "Latvia wins historic bronze in OT". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  29. ^ Nnamdi, Eberechi (28 May 2023). "Latvia's Kristians Rubins Scores Game-Winning Goal in Overtime to Give Latvia Bronze at 2023 Ice Hockey World Championship". nnn.ng. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  30. ^ "Kelly Cup win is like 'a dream' for Newfoundland Growlers". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

Bibliography

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