Little known Latvian thrilled to join Canucks

Ronald Kenins was on a trip of a lifetime when he received another.
The little known 23-year-old Latvian was visiting New York City for the first time when he received a chance to make his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres.
The promotion came while the team he was with, the Utica Comets, had the AHL all-star break. As a result, he became one of the few Latvians to don an NHL jersey.
“It’s great for our hockey future in Latvia,” he said after participating in Vancouver’s optional morning. “Not many players are there (in the NHL). For sure, it’ll be great when somebody (in Latvia) sees that I’m playing in the NHL.”
He joins such compatriots as retired defenceman Sandis Ozolinsh, goaltender Arturs Irbe and Sabres centre Zemgus Girgensons, who played in the NHL all-star game last weekend. who have received NHL ice time.
Ironically, Kenins, a left winger who signed with the Canucks as a free agent in July 2013, reached the NHL after playing in the Olympics with Latvia in 2014. Kenins, 23, has also played for Latvia in four world Championships (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and the world junior championsips (2013. He also played in the 2010 World Junior Championships as a member of the Latvian national team.
“It’s different in the world championship,” said Kenins, who played six seasons in Switzerland before moving to North America. “There is bigger ice. Here is everything smaller and it’s everything faster. So playing in the world championship is always difficult for a Latvian, but I’m getting experience and growing up now.”
In another touch of irony, his first NHL game came against Buffalo coach Ted Nolan, who doubles as the Latvian national team bench boss. So while auditioning for the Canucks, Kenins, who bills himself as a power forward, was trying to impress Nolan for a chance at future international duty with Latvia,
“It’s a little bit more nervous for me, because I want to show him that I can play on this level,” said Kenins, who has five goals and seven assists with Utica this season.
Nolan’s reaction was one of excitement that the six-foot and 209-pound winger was getting a chance in the NHL.
“I’ve been telling everybody for the last three years: This guy can play,” said Nolan. “He’s a very entertaining soul, he’s competitive as heck. We have one Latvian on our team (Girgensons), and everybody knows how hard he works. This is another one that has a tremendous amount of work ethic. He hits a lot. He’s enthusiastic. … I was really glad when I heard Vancouver signed him.”
Kenins was happy to get a chance to play against Girgensons, who caused a stir by receiving the most votes from fans to play in the NHL all-star game in Columbus last weekend. Girgensons, evidently backed by a multitude of Latvian fans, prevailed over the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the balloting.
“(Girgensons) is a great player, so he deserves it,” said Kenins. “It’s not about voting and stuff. He’s just a great player.”
Time will tell whether Kenins can become a great one, but Canucks coach Willie Desjardins received a good first impression.
“He’s a good player. I noticed him in (training) camp right away,” said Desjardins. “As soon as I saw him, I noticed him. His compete level and just how smart he is, there was things you noticed about him. So I’m excited just to get a look at him. I don’t know exactly how he’ll fit in – I’m sure he doesn’t either – but it’s a chance and that’s one thing that’s always important to me.”
It was also important to many people who congratulated Kenins for his promotion.
“My phone was ringing all the time,” he said. “It’s, for sure, exciting for everybody – especially for me.”