Fantasy Summary

Cukste is a long way off from being part of the Sharks plans. Might be worth a roster spot in the deepest of leagues with a strong freshman NCAA season and solid WJC tournament.


Observations

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January 2019 – Cukste needs only a single point to match his total of 13 from last season, this time it
took him only 20 games compared to 38 last season. These are not world beating numbers by any stretch
but it is an encouraging sign that Cukste has rebounded this season. Quinnipiac uses Cukste as a
shutdown defender and that is the role he is likely to be used in, if and when he turns pro. Chris Legg

 

August 2018 – Offensively, Quinnipiac defenseman Karlis Cukste had a bit of a disappointing season. His 13 points failed to meet the mark he set as a freshman by two points. Cukste has a strong defensive game however and has not played badly necessarily, he just doesn’t possess much offense. Cukste should be considered a long shot for the NHL and if he does make it, you won’t get many points from him. He has some potential however in peripheral stats, especially blocks. Chris Legg

 

October 2017 – Three games into his sophomore season with Quinnipiac University Karlis Cukste is still looking for his first point of the 2017-18 campaign. The Sharks’ 2015 fifth round pick had a respectable five goals and ten assists last year for the Bobcats and will get ample time to season in the NCAA ranks as the Sharks defensive depth is stable for the foreseeable future. Cukste did look more comfortable during the summer camps in San Jose but did not generate much offensively. He remains a long-range prospect that likely is not on anyone’s radar as of yet. Zachary DeVine

December 2016 – Cukste’s rookie season with Quinnipiac University has been a good one so far. The big Latvian has four goals and five assists in 19 contests, closing in on his total from last year when he skated with the Chicago Steel of the USHL. Cukste attended the San Jose Sharks development camp and worked hard in drills but did not appear to be making the best decisions with the puck at times. It was summer hockey, so take that with a grain of salt. Cukste will skate with Team Latvia in the World Junior Championship later this month and should play a sizable role with Latvia as they join the top tier in the tournament. Cukste also skated with Latvia last year at the WJC Division 1A where he posted three assists in five contests. Zachary DeVine

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 3.5
NHL Certainty 3.5
Country LAT
Position D
Roster Type Junior
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth June 17, 1997
Height 6‘02”
Weight 216 lbs
Drafted 2015 Round 5; Overall: 130

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2011-2012 HS Riga 15Latvia U1624 19 2241 20|        
 2012-2013 HS Riga 16Latvia U1819 9 1120 24|        
 2013-2014 HS RigaLatvia U2022 9 1423 16|        
  Latvia U18WJC-18 D1A5 1 12 0|        
  Latvia U17 (all)International-Jr3 0 00 0|        
  Latvia U18 (all)International-Jr8 1 23 4|        
 2014-2015 HK RigaJCWC5 0 00 2|        
  HK RigaMHL56 7 815 40|Playoffs3 0 00
  Prizma/Pardaugava U18Latvia U183 2 24 0|        
  Latvia U18WJC-186 2 46 8|        
  Latvia U20WJC-20 D1A5 1 23 2|        
  Latvia U18 (all)International-Jr7 4 59 10|        
  Latvia U20 (all)International-Jr10 1 45 8|        
  Latvia (all)International1 0 00 0|        
 2015-2016 Chicago SteelUSHL44 4 1115 10|        
  Latvia U20WJC-20 D1A5 0 33 6|        
  Latvia U20 (all)International-Jr7 0 33 6|        
 2016-2017 Quinnipiac Univ.NCAA38 5 1015 47|        
  Latvia U20WJC-206 1 23 8|        
 2017-2018 Quinnipiac Univ.NCAA38 3 1013 10|        
 2018-2019 Quinnipiac Univ.NCAA38 2 1820 26|        
 2019-2020 Quinnipiac Univ.NCAA34 4 1418 14|        
 2020-2021 HK MogoLatvia16 9 716 6|        
  HK MogoBaltic League1 0 22 0|        
  San Jose BarracudaAHL7 1 01 0|        
  Orlando Solar BearsECHL16 1 34 2|        
  Latvia Deutschland Cup3 1 01 0|        
  Latvia (all)International3 1 01 0|        
 2021-2022 Dinamo RigaKHL34 0 22 39|        
  PelicansLiiga15 1 56 4|Playoffs3 0 00
  LatviaOGQ3 0 00 2|        
  LatviaWC7 0 44 6|        
  Latvia (all)International19 1 56 8|        
 2022-2023 HC Ocelari TrinecCzechia49 2 68 18|Playoffs9 2 13
  HC Ocelari TrinecChampions HL6 0 33 0|        
  LatviaWC10 0 00 2|        
  Latvia (all)International13 1 01 4|        
 2023-2024 Brynäs IFHockeyAllsvenskan49 0 1313 18|Qualification13 1 23
  LatviaWC7 0 00 2|        
  Latvia (all)International9 0 00 4|        

Highlights