(Photo Credit: Stuart Cahill / Boston Herald / TNS)

By Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18

The 2026 Winter Olympics have been exciting to watch with National Hockey League players competing in them for the first time in 12 years. While seven Boston Bruins players are on an Olympic roster, the team also has one prospect representing his country.

Despite not playing in an NHL game at 22 years old, forward Dans Locmelis is playing for Team Latvia at this year’s Olympics. Playing on the Olympic stage can help Locmelis get used to playing against the best players in the world, but it also creates pressure for a young prospect with no NHL experience to play on such a big stage. However, Locmelis delivered the game of his life for his country against Team Germany.

Earlier today, Team Latvia played against Team Germany. Team Latvia defeated Team Germany by a final score of 4-3. When Team Latvia needed Locmelis deeply, he delivered. Locmelis scored two goals in Team Latvia’s win, but it was the timing of the goals that mattered most.

With Team Latvia down 1-0 early in the first period, Locmelis scored a goal to tie the game at one. Then, with Team Latvia trailing 2-1 in the second period, Locmelis scored his second goal of the game tie the game at two. Both of Locmellis’ goals were scored on the powerplay, and both goals helped Team Latvia tie the game on two different occasions.

Team Latvia needed a bounce-back win against Team Germany after falling 5-1 to Team USA in the team’s opening game in the Olympics. Now, Team Latvia got the win they needed, and Locmelis was a major reason why.

Seeing Locmelis have a huge game at the Olympics is a good thing for the Bruins to see. It shows that Locmelis is developing even more with the season he currently has had in the AHL with Providence. This season, Locmelis’ 28 points are fifth on Providence’s roster, and his 15 goals are third on the roster.

Along with playing against the best players in the world already, Locmelis has solid Team Latvia teammates to learn from: Zemgus Girgensons, Teddy Blueger, Ulvis Balinskis, and Elvis Merzlinkis.

Tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. ET, Team Latvia will be back in action against Team Denmark. After scoring two goals, Locmelis will be eyed on by Team Latvia to contribute to another win.