It’s a strong start to 2026 for defenseman Uvis Balinskis. He begins the year expecting a baby with his wife, joining Team Latvia for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, and extending his contract with the Panthers. Following these major life developments, Balinskis also shared another career highlight with his countryman, Sandis Vilmanis.
On Jan. 15, the Florida Panthers visited the White House in Washington, DC, for a congratulatory ceremony. The following day, the team faced one of their toughest losses of the season, falling 9-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. Despite the outcome, two Latvian-born players, Sandis Vilmanis and Uvis Balinskis, combined for one goal. It marked Balinskis’ second goal of the season, while NHL newcomer Vilmanis notched his first NHL point.
Building on this momentum, Balinskis’ representatives, Gold Star Hockey agency, announced a two-year contract extension worth of $1.75 M with the Cats that same day. It’s a big reward for a European defenseman who plays on average less than 20 minutes a night. His ice time fluctuates depending on the team’s needs and depth. In 39 matchups this season, the blueliner has collected three goals, 10 points, and a plus/minus of -3.
Baltic Bond
For years, the Florida Panthers stood out with their Finnish dominance: Barkov, Lundell, Mikkola, and Luostarinen. Historically speaking, Olli Jokinen spent the most productive years of his career with the Cats. Across the entire league, about 5% of players are from Finland. When Suomi does well, nobody gets surprised. The 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing crowned the Finns as the new hockey champions.
So, for a smaller European nation like Latvia, every NHL player is worth its weight in gold. The Panthers' roster is full of talent. Yet having two active Latvian-born players on the same NHL team who will compete in the 2026 Olympics is extraordinary. Balinskis debuted in the NHL at 27, after winning a bronze medal with Team Latvia at the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championship. An undrafted blueliner took an untypical path to North America. At the junior and professional levels, he played in Latvia, Germany, and Czechia. His experience in the KHL, MHL, Extraliga, and AHL helped him become the defenseman he is today: fearless and reliable, with an offensive instinct. He spent his first year splitting time between the Panthers (3 points in 26 games) and the Charlotte Checkers (21 points in 37 games). After appearing in 76 regular-season games and five playoff contests with the Panthers in 2024-2025, Balinskis added the Stanley Cup championship to his resume.
The Latvian-born player will join his national team in Italy for the 2026 Olympics. In addition to his IIHF bronze and Stanley Cup, Balinskis previously represented Latvia at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, where the team was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sweden. This Olympic experience, especially relevant since NHL players haven’t participated in the Games since Sochi 2014, ensures Balinskis’ international exposure is more current than that of many NHL stars.
Although Team Latvia isn’t yet able to compete with hockey giants like Team Canada or Team USA at full strength, players such as Uvis Balinskis and Sandis Vilmanis are already achieving their dreams. They play for the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions and represent their country at the highest level—a huge inspiration for young fans and athletes following their journeys.