Darels Uljanskis

September 2026 – Uljanskis has completed his one and only season in the OHL and finished with 26 points in 42 games. His offensive upside didn’t translate as well to North American ice as hoped, but Uljanskis also only saw time on the second powerplay unit, which certainly lowered his numbers a bit. Instead, his overall game has taken steps forward, going from a raw offensive defenseman to a much better two-way defenseman. Committed to St. Cloud of the NCAA for 2026-27, Uljanskis still remains a very long shot, but his progression is sufficient to keep him within an outside chance of possibly playing NHL games one day. Markus Kalmar

July 2025 – Surprisingly, Uljanskis is heading to North America, joining the Flint Firebirds for the upcoming season, and then heading to Connecticut for the NCAA in 2026–27. Always a long-term project, this is an ideal development path for Uljanskis. –Markus R

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 in North America. If he progresses there, his chances of making the NHL will improve. He is a prospect worth keeping an eye on over the next year; he will play for Sioux City in the USHL during the 2025-26 season and has committed to attending the University of Connecticut, starting in the 2026-27 season.  Markus R