QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

Aksels Ozols: Adjusting to Life in Charlottetown

Published on November 13, 2023 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release


Aksels Ozols, originally from Latvia, was drafted by the Islanders in the 2023 CHL Import Draft. He was in awe as he saw just the size of Sobeys compared to shops in his hometown of Saldus, a town of just over 9,000 people.

That was one of the many culture shocks he had upon moving across the Atlantic Ocean.

Ozols has been splitting goaltending duties this season on the Islanders with Carter Bickle.

In his first season in the Q, he is posting a 3.77 GAA and an .877 SV% in 11 appearances.

Last year, while playing for HS Riga in the Optibet Hockey League in Latvia, Ozols put up a 2.98 GAA and an .898 SV% in 17 appearances. In three playoff appearances, he had a 2.31 GAA and a .930 SV%.

The game is different in Charlottetown than it is in Riga. He was used to having a practice after his classes in Latvia, but he's had to adjust to morning practices instead.

"Our rink is smaller here," he said. "The game is faster, a lot faster than what it is in Europe. I had to adjust to that at the start but it's going well now."

Ozols didn't know much about Charlottetown before he came here from Riga, but he did do some research before coming.

"I saw there weren't a lot of French speakers here, which was a relief. I can't speak French at all so knowing most people speak English I was happy."

He loves the people here.

"Everyone here is so much friendlier compared to back home," he said. "Everyone's open to speaking more and helping out."

Since coming over, he's appreciated everything Head Coach Jim Hulton has done for him but he has one main takeaway.

"A win doesn't mean it was a good game. He expects the best from us every game," he said. "If we win but I allow five goals, it's not a good game for me."

As many goaltenders do, Ozols has a pre-game routine that he follows every game.

"I do the same stretches before every game. I always go post to post, I push my whole body," he said. "Even in every face-off in our zone I touch both posts."

Ozols watched his home Latvian country go on to win bronze in the World Hockey Championships hosted by the IIHF.

"The impact on the country has been massive. I already see kids trying hockey for the first time because of the medal," he said. "We even have a special holiday to celebrate the win."

He is eligible to represent Latvia in the World Junior Championship this year.

"Playing for a national team and representing your country is really special to me. Nothing gets better than that," he said.

Ozols will always remember his first win wearing the black and gold.

"Playing my first game here at this arena was pretty special and getting a win was great," he said. "The fans here are amazing. Even after a bad game they are always cheering for us, always giving us high-fives. Nobody supports us as much as they do.'

You can catch Aksels and the Islanders tomorrow night as they take on the Cape Breton Eagles in their return to the Eastlink Centre after a five game road swing. Fans can tune into the game at MAX 93.1FM.

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from November 13, 2023


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