Darels Uljanskis

June 2025 – Uljanskis has made clear strides this season. At his core, he is an offensive-minded defenseman who excels with the puck on the power play, where he has the time and space to create. He finished second in points among J20 defensemen and earned a brief stint with the men’s team, likely a precursor to transitioning there full-time next season. In International play, Uljanskis contributed to Latvia’s memorable upset over Canada, showcasing growth in key defensive areas such as skating, positioning, and awareness. Drafted as a raw talent in need of development, this season marks a significant step forward. While he still has a long road ahead before reaching the NHL, the next step will be establishing himself with AIK in Sweden’s second division. If he continues to progress there, his NHL chances will improve. He is definitely a prospect worth keeping an eye on over the next year.  Markus R