Zemgus Girgensons
Latvian forward, highest-drafted Latvian in NHL history.
Zemgus Girgensons is a Latvian professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was picked 14th overall in the first round of the 2012 NHL entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres, which at the time made him the highest-drafted Latvian in NHL history. In 2015, fans voted him into the NHL All-Star Game.
Girgensons started playing hockey at the EVHS hockey school, coached by former Dinamo Riga player Edmunds Vasiļjevs, and played in Latvia’s minor and youth leagues. In 2009, he moved to North America to play for the Green Mountain Glades in the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL). The next season, he joined the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He won a USHL championship with the Fighting Saints in 2011 and played in the USHL All-Star Game. During the 2011–12 season, his last as a junior, he served as the team’s captain.
Entering his draft year as a projected first-round pick, Girgensons was selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 14th overall pick. The Sabres traded a first-round pick (21st overall, from Nashville) and a second-round pick (42nd overall) to move up seven spots and draft him. He had committed to playing for the University of Vermont Catamounts but signed a professional contract with the Sabres on 13 July 2012, forfeiting his NCAA eligibility.
He began the 2012–13 season with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL). After a slow start, he suffered an injury from a late hit by Richard Pánik of the Syracuse Crunch in early 2013, but finished the season strong with three goals in the Americans’ first-round Calder Cup playoff loss.
After scoring three goals and an assist in five preseason games, Girgensons started the 2013–14 season in the NHL with the Sabres. He scored his first NHL goal on 2 October 2013 against Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings in the season opener. He was the runaway leader in fan voting for the 2015 All-Star Game, boosted heavily by votes from Latvia.
On 1 September 2016, as a restricted free agent, he re-signed with the Sabres on a one-year, $1.15 million contract. He signed another two-year, $3.2 million deal on 17 August 2017. On 5 July 2019, he signed a one-year, $1.6 million extension.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1994-01-05
- Birth Place
- Riga, Latvia
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 1
- Weight Lb
- 197
- Position
- Forward
- Shoots
- Left
- League
- NHL
- Team
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Former Teams
- Buffalo Sabres
- Ntl Team
- LVA
- Draft
- 14th overall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Girgensons began playing hockey in EVHS hockey school, coached by former Dinamo Riga player Edmunds Vasiļjevs. He moved to North America in 2009, playing in the Eastern Junior Hockey League for the Green Mountain Glades, then the United States Hockey League for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He became a USHL champion with the Fighting Saints in 2011 and participated in the USHL All-Star Game; the following season he was named captain of the team. He had committed to the University of Vermont but signed a professional contract with the Sabres on 13 July 2012, forfeiting his NCAA eligibility. He began the 2012–13 season in the American Hockey League with the Rochester Americans, finishing the season strongly with three goals in the Calder Cup playoffs. He scored his first career NHL goal on 2 October 2013 against Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings. Girgensons was the runaway leader in fan voting for the 2015 All-Star Game, buoyed by votes from his native Latvia. He re-signed with the Sabres multiple times, including a three-year, $6.6 million extension on 8 October 2020. On 4 January 2021, he sustained a lower-body injury during a training camp scrimmage, later revealed as a hamstring injury requiring surgery that ruled him out for the season. Prior to the 2021–22 season, he was named one of two alternate captains for the Sabres. On 1 July 2024, he became a free agent for the first time and signed a three-year, $2.55 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Reader's Guide
Girgensons' significance lies in his role as a pioneering Latvian player in the NHL, having been the highest-drafted Latvian at the time of his selection. His career with the Buffalo Sabres spanned ten seasons, during which he served as an alternate captain and was voted to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game. His move to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2024 marked his first free agency and a new chapter. Internationally, he represented Latvia at multiple World Championships and the 2014 Winter Olympics, scoring his first Olympic goal against Sweden. His legacy includes being a consistent forward who overcame a major hamstring injury to continue his NHL career.
Did You Know?
- Girgensons was the highest-drafted Latvian in NHL history when selected 14th overall in 2012.
- He was voted to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game, leading fan voting largely due to support from Latvia.
- Girgensons was named an alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres prior to the 2021–22 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Zemgus Girgensons?
Zemgus Girgensons is a Latvian-born forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL, born on January 5, 1994. He entered the league after being selected 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2012 entry draft, a pick that made him the highest-drafted Latvian in NHL history at the time.
What position does Zemgus Girgensons play for the Lightning?
Girgensons plays forward for Tampa Bay, serving as an offensive contributor in the NHL. His on-ice skill was recognized by the fan base when he was voted into the 2015 NHL All-Star Game.
How did Zemgus Girgensons get into the NHL draft?
The Buffalo Sabres chose Girgensons 14th overall in the first round of the 2012 NHL entry draft. That selection immediately set a record, as it made him the highest-drafted Latvian player in the league's history up to that point.
Why is Zemgus Girgensons notable to Lightning fans?
Girgensons carries both a high draft pedigree and international representation, having come from Latvia's youth hockey system before reaching the NHL. His 2015 All-Star Game appearance, secured through a fan vote, highlighted his popularity and standing among supporters.
How did Zemgus Girgensons begin his hockey development?
He started at the EVHS hockey school in Latvia, where former Dinamo Riga player Edmunds Vasiļjevs coached him through the minor and youth leagues. In 2009 he crossed the Atlantic to join the Green Mountain Glades in North America, beginning his path toward professional hockey.
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