C Olivers Murnieks - Sioux City Musketeers, USHL (2026 Draft)

[Castle8130]

I don't know much about Latvian mens leagues, but regardless of how bad it is, it's really impressive to be a point per game player at 15 years old. Is this kid legit?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

2 points in 2 games in the U18 WJC so far. Great skater, great speed, great hands.

How high of a draft pick do you think he could be? Highest drafted Latvian ever?

 

[JohnWillow]

5th youngest player to score a goal in the Top Division of U-18 Worlds.

Mikkel Bodker in 2005.
Tavares in 2006.
Niederreiter in 2008.
Samuel Knazko 2018.

Pretty nice company.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

How high of a draft pick do you think he could be? Highest drafted Latvian ever?

Oh yeah, he has the potential to go just as high, if not higher than Girgensons.

He just needs to get out of Latvia. He’s already far too good for their hockey infrastructure.

 

[macbowes]

He was Latvia's best player against Finland even though he's a 2008 in a tournament for 2006s! As GS said, he needs to get out of Latvian hockey and into the J20, or come to NA.

 

[Namejs]

How high of a draft pick do you think he could be? Highest drafted Latvian ever?

It's obviously still early, but I'm betting he beats the record, yes.

 

[kudla]

Finally after x years, Latvia has a first round prospect in their hands

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

I don't know much about Latvian mens leagues, but regardless of how bad it is, it's really impressive to be a point per game player at 15 years old. Is this kid legit?

I bloody hope so.

 

[LeProspector]

Anyone know where he will play next season so we can see exactly how he compares to kids on his skill level.

 

[Namejs]

Anyone know where he will play next season so we can see exactly how he compares to kids on his skill level.

I don't know, but I've heard some rumors about the US. No idea if that is true or not. It is possible the U18 WJC changes things, but in any case I don't think he's staying in Latvia

 

[SoundAndFury]

Yeah, too many people seem to be getting their panties in a twist for no reason. This was his breakout season (if you want to call it that), obviously he is going to leave somewhere for the next year, that's just the way Latvian hockey functions not to mention his brother spent 4 years playing in the US. And up until this point, Latvian hockey infrastructure served him fine.

Multiple people screaming how he "needs to get out" make it sound like he has to plan some prison break.

 

[Vikz]

So, what are his options? Is he old enough for the CHL import draft this summer? USHL contract? Maybe Sweden with a potential allswenskan debut next year?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

So, what are his options? Is he old enough for the CHL import draft this summer? USHL contract? Maybe Sweden with a potential allswenskan debut next year?

He can play USHL next season.

 

[SoundAndFury]

So, what are his options? Is he old enough for the CHL import draft this summer? USHL contract? Maybe Sweden with a potential allswenskan debut next year?

He is since he turns 16 this year. All the options you listed are viable, it's his choice from this point, really. I think Sweden would be the most sensible one but obviously a lot of variables at play here.

CHL route is of no benefit to someone who probably feels he will get drafted in the top-10 if not higher, almost certainly the worst of the 3.

 

[LeProspector]

He is since he turns 16 this year. All the options you listed are viable, it's his choice from this point, really. I think Sweden would be the most sensible one but obviously a lot of variables at play here.

CHL route is of no benefit to someone who probably feels he will get drafted in the top-10 if not higher, almost certainly the worst of the 3.

CHL isn’t an option until next season, anyway.

 

[SoundAndFury]

CHL isn’t an option until next season, anyway.

How come? From the eligibility rules: "Top level players will develop through the various age groups of hockey and in the year of their 16th birthday, become eligible to play in the Canadian Hockey League".

 

[Namejs]

I agree completely about CHL in terms of player development.

USHL -> NCAA seems to be the most popular option for Latvian prospects as of late, correct.

In terms of immediate player development, J20/Allsvenskan/SHL would be the most efficient path. High risk/high reward.

Parents usually prefer the US option because they're hedging their bets. If their kid doesn't end up being a pro, they can at least get a university degree in NCAA. And there's no language barrier.

 

[LeProspector]

How come? From the eligibility rules: "Top level players will develop through the various age groups of hockey and in the year of their 16th birthday, become eligible to play in the Canadian Hockey League".

it’s just how the draft works, if you look at last years draft in 2023 no 2007 born players were drafted, the year before in 2022 no 2006 born players were drafted. This year, in 2024 no 2008 borns will be drafted. That’ll be next season.

 

[Vikz]

USHL -> NCAA seems to be the most popular option for Latvian prospects as of late, correct.

In terms of immediate player development, J20/Allsvenskan/SHL would be the most efficient path. High risk/high reward.

Parents usually prefer the US option because they're hedging their bets. If their kid doesn't end up being a pro, they can at least get a university degree in NCAA. And there's no language barrier.

In terms of USHL - NCAA, quantity does not equal quality, though. With all respect to all the Veinbergs and Lavins etc. And I really like Lavins, he might be something of a Kenins 2.0. one day, but in a previously always lacking centre role. But we havent had a real good prospect on the USHL - NCAA path yet. And with Murnieks the option of "doesnt end up being a pro" is off the tables.

Sweden, on the other hand, has been beneficial to our prospects. Starting with Locmelis and Vilmanis, on the way are Uljanskis, Osmanis, Flugins. And its not just the Swedish-Latvian connection. Potential stars from smaller EU nations like Dvorsky, Kasper, Bicshel all were top 10-15 picks after playing in Sweden.

And I dont consider Sweden a high risk path. For me its the opposite. If Murnieks is able to choose a good organisation with teams in top leagues in every age group, the ability to move between them easily is a big plus. Too good for the team you are on? There are pro teams you can get promoted to in Allsvenskan or SHL. Not good enough for the current team? Go a level down and be the main guy there instead of warming the bench. No drafts, age restrictions or complicated trades in case something doesnt click. Pick a team and play on the level that suits you.

 

[Namejs]

In terms of USHL - NCAA, quantity does not equal quality, though. With all respect to all the Veinbergs and Lavins etc. And I really like Lavins, he might be something of a Kenins 2.0. one day, but in a previously always lacking centre role. But we havent had a real good prospect on the USHL - NCAA path yet. And with Murnieks the option of "doesnt end up being a pro" is off the tables.

Sweden, on the other hand, has been beneficial to our prospects. Starting with Locmelis and Vilmanis, on the way are Uljanskis, Osmanis, Flugins. And its not just the Swedish-Latvian connection. Potential stars from smaller EU nations like Dvorsky, Kasper, Bicshel all were top 10-15 picks after playing in Sweden.

And I dont consider Sweden a high risk path. For me its the opposite. If Murnieks is able to choose a good organisation with teams in top leagues in every age group, the ability to move between them easily is a big plus. Too good for the team you are on? There are pro teams you can get promoted to in Allsvenskan or SHL. Not good enough for the current team? Go a level down and be the main guy there instead of warming the bench. No drafts, age restrictions or complicated trades in case something doesnt click. Pick a team and play on the level that suits you.

You're thinking like his agent, I'm talking about the entire picture. He's 15, his parents are making the final call here.

I agree about the hockey part. In fact, that's exactly what I said earlier.

It is entirely within the realm of possibility for him not to become a major pro player. His current rate of production currently is not at that level yet. We are all making the assumption of continued progress.

If he stalls for some freak reason, he might not make it. Which is where the hedging comes in.

You don't get an education by moving to Sweden for a couple of years. You get a long distance high school degree.

 

[Namejs]

3 points in 4 games in the U18 WJC so far and a match-up against McKenna and Team Canada in a few hours.

 

[Bjindaho]

How come? From the eligibility rules: "Top level players will develop through the various age groups of hockey and in the year of their 16th birthday, become eligible to play in the Canadian Hockey League".

That's the midget rules. For imports, they have to be in the year of their 17th birthday.

The CHL drafts 16 year-olds from midget so teams routinely attempt to go big on their import draft the year after a big midget draft.

 

[Namejs]

So, as expected, Murnieks got drafted in the USHL draft and will be moving overseas next season. Looks like it's going to be the Sioux City Musketeers.

Looking at the rates of point production for U17 players in the USHL, you would expect at least around 0.75 ppg for Murnieks over the course of the next season for him to remain a top 10 pick in 2026.

 

[Vikz]

Is there confirmation from any party involved that he is indeed coming? I know that those junior drafts usually represent commitment, but he was taken 207 OA, as a 15th selection by his team. They might be just taking a shot at a potential star to hold his rights IF he decided to come to USHL one day.

 

[LeProspector]

Is there confirmation from any party involved that he is indeed coming? I know that those junior drafts usually represent commitment, but he was taken 207 OA, as a 15th selection by his team. They might be just taking a shot at a potential star to hold his rights IF he decided to come to USHL one day.

Yep, if he was coming he would have went MUCH higher