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

[Namejs]

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

I'm just connecting the dots here. There were rumours about him moving to the US, he was drafted by Sioux City, there really are no other options left in the States.

It doesn't mean that it's confirmed, but it's likely.

 

[LeProspector]

I'm just connecting the dots here. There were rumours about him moving to the US, he was drafted by Sioux City, there really are no other options left in the States.

It doesn't mean that it's confirmed, but it's likely.

I understand, with this draft though, it’s more about recruitment than it is anything, the earlier selections are more likely to report, look at Gabriel Eliasson for example. As you get late in the draft, those picks are more “flyers” where teams take talented players that they have no idea would report they’re just talented so it’s worth the risk at that point in the draft.

I’m just pointing out, if he was as talented as we think he is, and was going to play in the US like you say, he would have went MUCH higher in the draft.

 

[Bjindaho]

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.

1) He was drafted late so Sioux will definitely try to get him over, but that doesn't mean that he is interested.

2) Never use the average point production for a league as a barometer for a player playing their first season overseas. A rough transition at 16 wouldn't necessarily mean anything for his draft position.

It's a different league but Timo Meier only put up 34 points in his first season in North America, but the skills were evident. Year 2 (his draft year), he started to show his full skillset and went 9th.

 

[Namejs]

He's reported to Sioux and will be playing in the USHL, as predicted.

Excited to see how he does.

 

[Vikz]

He's reported to Sioux and will be playing in the USHL, as predicted.

Excited to see how he does.

Great news. With him and Berzkalns, and Flugins in OHL, thats going to be an exciting junior hockey season (should they all make their teams, of course).

 

[Namejs]

So a goal and an assist in 2 USHL pre-season games, while playing on the 4th line for some reason. Happy about point production, unsure about why he's buried on the 4th line.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

So a goal and an assist in 2 USHL pre-season games, while playing on the 4th line for some reason. Happy about point production, unsure about why he's buried on the 4th line.

Keep in mind he’s very young for the league. Not many U17’s will even play a full USHL regular season. I wouldn’t worry much what line he’s on in preseason, and sometimes the number line, especially in preseason, doesn’t reflect the quality of linemates, situations, or amount of ice time, let alone what the team is thinking. Preseason is a time to experiment.

 

[JohnWillow]

Murnieks starts the season with two goals after four games while playing on the 4th line.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842722774923575656

https://x.com/i/web/status/1840199377240957406

 

[zero100scout]

Murnieks starts the season with two goals after four games while playing on the 4th line.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842722774923575656

https://x.com/i/web/status/1840199377240957406

Another goal and assist in the next two.
Murnieks has quietly picked up 3g+1a in 6 games

 

[Namejs]

7 points in 11 games and I think it's fair to say the switch from Latvia to major junior hockey in North America has been successful.

Murnieks initially played on the 4th line with limited ice time, I see now that he scored a goal on the power play last night, so that's a good sign as well.

Currently 2nd in points among U17s in the USHL