Hockey Foreseen
A Prospect Spotlight featuring Olivers Murnieks
(Photo courtesy of the Sioux City Musketeers)
There have been just twenty-two Latvian-born skaters who have suited up in the NHL, and sixteen-year-old center Olivers Murnieks is taking crucial early steps to perhaps one day add himself to that total. Murnieks began playing in the Latvian U17 junior league when he was just thirteen years old, leading his Baltu Vilki team in scoring en route to becoming the third all-time leading scorer as a 13-year-old skater in that league. The following season he was already playing in the Latvian second-tier men's league, and by 15 he was playing for HK Mogo in the top Latvian league (he scored 5 goals and 10 assists in 18 games played as the only U16 player in the league).
This year, the 6'1, 190-pound teenager has moved from his homeland to the United States to play for the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers. In his first 15 games, Sioux City's youngest player is co-leading the team in goals with eight and he has ten total points thus far.
Murnieks has an NHL frame at just sixteen years old, and although he still looks like a young player who is trying to build his strength and coordination to match his frame, he has above average speed and good balance on his skates. He skating looks a bit immature, though, as his extensions at speed look truncated and he seems to lead his turns with his upper body. The coaches at Sioux City should be able to help him develop his edgework agility and overall stride mechanics and Murnieks looks like a player willing to put in the work required.
One aspect of his game that shows quality and refinement is his defensive play. As a center, Murnieks is relied upon to provide support to the defensemen down low, and he does that exceptionally well. Despite his youth and inexperience with the pace and intensity of North American hockey, Murnieks has already earned enough trust from the Sioux City coaching staff to center the Musketeers top penalty kill unit. He can often be seen taking key faceoffs in his own zone late in close games against the opponents' top offensive lines or powerplay units. Murnieks' uses an active stick and smart positioning to take away passing and shooting lanes and repositions as necessary to disrupt an attacking player's skating lanes. His lacks a physical component to his game at this point, but that is sure to come as he ages and gains confidence.
On the offensive side of the puck, Murnieks looks like a player still trying to adapt to the North American style, but he has the hallmarks of a net-front player with good hands and offensive instincts. He does not handle the puck much, instead moving it quickly to better-positioned teammates or getting a quick shot on net. His hands are fast in tight spaces, and the majority of his puck touches advance the play and improve possession for his team. His game comes alive when he gets the puck near or behind the net. He makes crisp, decisive passes with just a flick of his wrists and little stick movement, finding scoring chances at the crease or low slow. His shot is similar in that he receives and releases the puck in an instant, getting it on net before defenders and netminders have time to react and set. Murnieks may not make highlight reel, electric plays, but his game is subtle, effective and predominantly free of puck management mistakes.
Taking Murnieks as he is at this point in time, he looks like a mid-round draft pick who could become a reliable defensive presence with scoring upside. If he continues to improve his skating, gets more comfortable on the ice and more confident in his abilities, he could raise his draft stock over the next two seasons. He has room to grow into his game, and as a player who has been playing above his age group for years, he will be well-served to spend a couple of years honing his skills and maturing into his draft class. As such, Murnieks will be an interesting player to keep tabs on if for no other reason than he should start to get chances with the Latvian junior team, and playing in North America will give him better adaptation potential and a chance to become the rarity of a Latvian-born NHL player.
Hockey Foreseen Update on Lars Steiner
In October, the Hockey Foreseen spotlight shone on Lars Steiner, the Swiss forward playing for the Huskies in Rouyn-Noranda. Steiner--who turned seventeen just two days ago--is currently locked in a six-way tie for first place in QMJHL scoring with 31 points, a total which puts him at the top of all of the U18 players in the league.