A top Boston Bruins prospect seemed to gain a fan at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
Dans Locmelis was one of multiple B’s players who represented their country in Denmark and Sweden. The 21-year-old started well for Latvia with three goals and one assist for four points in three games.
Latvia was in Group A with Canada, and Locmelis drew praise from one of the game’s best players.
“Canadian national team captain Sidney Crosby reportedly approached Dan (Locmelis) after the World Cup game against Latvia, tapped him on the shoulder, and praised his performance on the (ice). Dan was reportedly confused and didn’t know how to respond,” Latvia reporter Mārtiņš Kļavenieks posted on X on Tuesday via Google translation.
Getting praise from a legend of your sport would be shocking for anyone. However, another reason for shock might have been due to the result; Canada cruised by Latvia 7-1 on Sunday. Locmelis notched an assist in the matchup, but the UMass forward probably wasn’t too proud of the final score.
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Latvia rebounded and was third in Group A heading into Wednesday, and Locmelis will look for a strong finish to the tournament before starting his offseason program with the Bruins.
Featured image via Jerome Miron/Imagn Images