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Minnesota Wilderness

Captain Ozolins Chooses RPI as NCAA Destination

February 2, 2024 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Minnesota Wilderness News Release


Wilderness captain Gustavs Ozolins has decided to take his talents to RPI.

The veteran defenseman this week announced he has committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey at the institution based in Troy, New York.

Ozolins, from Riga, Latvia, began his junior career in 2019 in his home country. He is now in his 2nd season with the Wilderness and third playing in North America. The 5'11", 180-pound 20-year-old has skated in 34 games this season, generating 2 goals and 15 assists for 17 points.

Wilderness head coach Colten St. Clair says he could not be more proud of his captain. "You always hear people say 'well deserved', but that was well earned," said St. Clair.

"I have nothing but the best things to say about him as a leader, as a human being, obviously a really good player, but the person makes the player. For me, I think RPI is getting a stud of a human being, and a stud player. He's going to have as much success as he wants and puts his mind to."

Ozolins began the North American portion of his career in the USHL in 2021-22. He appeared in 11 games with the Sioux Falls Stampede recording four assists.

Ozolins joined the Wilderness last season, generating 2 goals and 21 assists for 23 points over 35 games. He also posted four assists over 9 playoff games, leading Minnesota to its first Midwest Division playoff championship since 2015 and an appearance in the Robertson Cup semi-finals.

Ozolins is in his final season of junior eligibility and will begin his career at RPI next fall.

RPI is officially known as Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute. The Engineers compete in ECAC Hockey.

Pronunciation: GOO-stahvs OH-zuh-linz

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