Sandis Ozolinsh
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Sandis Ozoliņš (born August 3, 1972 in Riga, Latvia, nicknamed Ozo) is a Latvian ice hockey player, currently playing for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the NHL.
Sandis Ozolinsh was drafted in 1991 by the San Jose Sharks, as the 30th pick in the 2nd round. He has skated for the San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Ozolinsh is known as an offensive defenceman, excellent in joining the attack and one of the best powerplay quarterbacks in NHL. His defensive play, however, can be unstable at times, thereby creating problems for his own teammates. Despite his defensive shortcomings, Ozolinsh was one of 3 finalists for the Norris Trophy (the NHL award given to the best defencemen of NHL) in the 1996-97 season. He is also a 7-time NHL All-Star (as of 2004).
Ozolinsh has distinguished himself from other defensemen over the years as a fierce playoff competitor who can make things happen when it matters the most. He was a member of the '94 and '95 San Jose Sharks (two teams with underdog status that pulled off stunning First Round upsets). When on the Colorado Avalanche, he played in a multitude of overtime thrillers and Game 7 classics, as well as won his one and only Stanley Cup (1996). He was a big part of Anaheim's Cinderella run to the Finals in 2003.
Awards
- 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 - NHL All-Star Game.
- 1997 - NHL first All-Star team
External link
- Sandis Ozolinsh (http://www.nhl.com/lineups/player/8458544.html) - NHL player page with stats