broadcasters talk about Sandis Ozoliņš during the 2014 Olympics. "He scored 26 goals in one season playing for the San Jose Sharks." AS A DEFENSEMAN And scored 50 points or more in 5 seasons in the NHL. GO LATVIA!
Dude was amazing. He was one of those guys that was just REALLY good at everything. He had no holes in his game. His blazing speed and high IQ made him quite effective across 200 feet. One of the earlier prototypical offensive d-men. For kids who didn’t get to enjoy him, his overall in video games was sometimes in the 90’s. I think one 92, was his highest. Can’t remember which game exactly, probably NHL 96 or something.
the true missing piece of the Colorado Stanley cup run in 1996. Everybody says Roy helped the ex-Nordiques, but the addition of Ozolinsh really changes the power plays of the Avs. Before Ozolinsh they didn't really had a power play quarter back (i think Uwe Krupp and Curtis Leschyshyn played power play for Québec)
I used to love watching him play. He was so explosive as an offensive defenseman but under rated for his defensive positioning and skill. I just remember him coming in from the blue line at the perfect time for a Larianov or Makarov pass for a one timer goal and the same thing later with Forsberg and Sakic. IMO those years were the best hockey ever played on the planet and Sandy thrived!
@@sidneycoakley1524 1000 games doesn’t determine whether a career is good or great. Just say McDavid is forced to retire for whatever reason(I pray to god not). He had a great career.
@@andrewbanocy2592 he’s definitely not a legend. I’m not knocking him at all because he was a great player but he had at best a great career. The only reason it’s great is the 1 cup.
@@Thebrosephone and those 564 don’t even put him in the top 50. I really not knocking his ability and as a redwings fan he I watched him do some damage. He was on the avalanche the first year they came back in the league so they always so he was always a part of their game.
Even had great last seasons playing for a lowly Dinamo Riga scoring points in more than every 3rd game. I remember this guy from the earliest hockey video games I had 👍
As well as basketball. Even though there were only 5 Latvian NBA players previous season and now 3, it's more than majority of much bigger countries have.
It's really between him and Paul Coffey for the best defenseman to ever carry the puck up the ice to create opportunities opponents had no answer for. Coffey was a little faster, but Ozolinsh could dangle fools with only one hand on his stick.
What a bizarre video...was expecting something amazing onscreen like some crazy fact or thing that he does, like wrestling bears in a loincloth or whatever. Why tf did youtube recommend this?!? 😅
Even had great last seasons playing for a lowly Dinamo Riga scoring points in more than every 3rd game. I remember this guy from the earliest hockey video games I had 👍
