Boston Bruins prospect Dans Locmelis is heading overseas after the Calder Cup series to join Team Latvia for the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
Locmelis departs Providence to chase national pride
The Boston Bruins are saying goodbye—at least for now—to one of their most promising young forwards.
He’s been granted release from the organization to join Team Latvia for the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
Locmelis’ departure comes right after Providence’s second-round Calder Cup action wraps this weekend.
Though it’s a temporary move, it marks a big step in the 21-year-old’s career and could have ripple effects for both the player and the Bruins’ development plans.
Latvia confirms release agreement with Boston
Word first spread from a Boston-based reporter, who posted:
Prospect Dans Locmelis is heading overseas after this weekend’s Calder Cup second-round action.
Soon after, the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation confirmed what had been brewing behind the scenes:
The Latvian national team has reached an agreement with the NHL club Boston Bruins – Dan Ločmelis will be released after the second AHL playoff game and will leave on Monday to join the national team and play in the world championship
Locmelis will represent his country on hockey’s international stage beginning May 9, when the IIHF World Championship gets underway in Sweden and Denmark. It’s a massive opportunity for the young forward, who was Boston’s fourth-round pick (119th overall) in 2022.
High ceiling, growing spotlight
In just six regular-season games with Providence this spring, Locmelis racked up 3 goals and 9 assists, turning heads inside the Bruins organization.
What made the performance stand out even more?
Most of his production came at even strength—a solid indicator of NHL readiness.
His three-year entry-level contract was signed April 1, 2025, but in a matter of weeks, he made his mark. Whether it was his poise, skating, or playmaking vision, Locmelis didn’t look out of place.
Now, he takes that momentum overseas to compete against NHL-level talent with a national crest on his chest.
For Boston, it’s a short-term loss but a valuable long-term investment.
Players grow fast in international tournaments, especially those who embrace the responsibility of representing their country.
If there’s a silver lining to this mid-playoff exit, it’s that Bruins management will get a new perspective on how Locmelis handles pressure—and what kind of player he might become.
This isn’t just a prospect going abroad.
It’s a statement that Locmelis is ready for more.
Bruins after dark 
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