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Rodrigo Ābols
Rodrigo Ābols
from Wikipedia

Rodrigo Ābols (born 5 January 1996) is a Latvian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Ābols was selected in the seventh round, 184th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2016 NHL entry draft.

Key Information

Playing career

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During the 2014–15 season, Ābols skated for both Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and HK Rīga of the Minor Hockey League (MHL). He made his KHL debut on 27 December 2014 with Riga, whom his father, Artis Ābols, coached.[1]

Ābols joined the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the 2015–16 season. In 62 games, Ābols registered 20 goals and 49 points. During the 2016 NHL entry draft, Ābols was selected in the seventh round, 184th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks. Ābols split the 2016–17 season between the Winterhawks and the Acadie–Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Ābols skated for Örebro HK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) during the 2017–18 season. While on loan, he also played for BIK Karlskoga of HockeyAllsvenskan. With his rights expired from the Canucks, he continued his tenure with Örebro HK in the 2018–19 season, increasing his production with 18 goals and 26 points in 45 games.

On 28 May 2019, the Florida Panthers signed Ābols to a two-year, entry-level contract.[2]

Approaching his second season under contract with the Panthers, on 3 August 2020, Ābols returned to Sweden to begin the 2020–21 season on loan with his former club, Örebro HK. He returned to the SHL with the North American season delayed until mid-November due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] On 13 January 2021, Ābols was released by the Florida Panthers.[4]

Following four seasons in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), Ābols returned to North America after securing a one-year, two-way contract with the Philadelphia Flyers for the 2024–25 season on 16 June 2024.[5] On 21 January 2025, Ābols made his NHL debut in Philadelphia's 2–1 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings.[6]

International play

[edit]

Ābols participated at the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships as a member of the Latvian national junior team. He made his senior international debut in Prague at the 2015 IIHF World Championships.

He represented Latvia at the 2023 IIHF World Championship where he recorded five goals and two assists and won a bronze medal, Latvia's first ever IIHF World Championship medal.[7]

Ābols was named to the roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, however he suffered an injury and was subsequently removed from the roster.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

Ābols is the son of Artis Ābols, who also played ice hockey and has been the head coach of Dinamo Riga and Lada Togliatti of the Kontinental Hockey League, and Zemgale of the Latvian Hockey Higher League, as well as assistant coach of the Latvia men's national ice hockey team.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2011–12 SK Rīga 16 LAT U18 22 20 18 38 18
2012–13 SK Rīga 17 LHHL 14 10 13 23 6
2013–14 HK Rīga MHL 44 7 9 16 34 10 1 0 1 12
2013–14 HK Rīga LHHL 1 1 3 4 0
2014–15 HK Rīga MHL 35 20 18 38 61 3 0 1 1 2
2014–15 Dinamo Rīga KHL 14 1 4 5 4
2015–16 Portland Winterhawks WHL 62 20 29 49 42 4 0 1 1 4
2016–17 Portland Winterhawks WHL 2 0 1 1 7
2016–17 Acadie–Bathurst Titan QMJHL 52 18 32 50 43 11 5 6 11 12
2017–18 Örebro HK SHL 26 0 1 1 6
2017–18 BIK Karlskoga Allsv 18 7 10 17 20
2018–19 Örebro HK SHL 45 18 8 26 20 2 0 1 1 0
2019–20 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL 36 7 16 23 15
2019–20 Greenville Swamp Rabbits ECHL 4 3 1 4 4
2020–21 Örebro HK SHL 47 20 15 35 16 9 3 7 10 2
2021–22 Örebro HK SHL 47 14 20 34 6 8 7 3 10 0
2022–23 Örebro HK SHL 51 19 22 41 12 13 0 6 6 2
2023–24 Rögle BK SHL 50 14 12 26 10 15 5 7 12 2
2024–25 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 47 15 17 32 12 7 2 0 2 0
2024–25 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 22 2 3 5 4
KHL totals 14 1 4 5 4
SHL totals 266 85 78 163 70 47 15 24 39 6
NHL totals 22 2 3 5 4

International

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Medal record
Representing  Latvia
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Finland/Latvia
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Latvia EYOF 5th 3 1 3 4 0
2014 Latvia WJC D1A 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 5 3 2 5 2
2014 Latvia U18 D1A 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 1 3 4 2
2015 Latvia WJC D1A 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 5 2 2 4 2
2015 Latvia WC 13th 7 0 0 0 0
2016 Latvia WJC D1A 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 4 1 5 0
2016 Latvia WC 13th 7 0 1 1 0
2016 Latvia OGQ DNQ 3 1 2 3 0
2018 Latvia WC 8th 8 1 4 5 4
2019 Latvia WC 10th 2 1 0 1 0
2021 Latvia WC 11th 7 1 1 2 2
2021 Latvia OGQ Q 3 3 1 4 0
2022 Latvia OG 11th 4 1 1 2 2
2022 Latvia WC 10th 7 1 1 2 4
2023 Latvia WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 10 5 2 7 4
2024 Latvia WC 9th 7 2 2 4 8
2024 Latvia OGQ Q 3 2 2 4 0
Junior totals 35 12 14 26 39
Senior totals 72 19 20 39 24

Awards and honours

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Award Year
Juniors
MHL All-Star game 2015
SHL
SHL Best Plus/Minus 2022
International
Team Latvia Top 3 Player 2023, 2024

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Rodrigo Ābols is a Latvian forward who plays center and left wing for the of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 5, 1996, in , , he stands 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall and weighs 206 pounds (93 kg). Ābols is the son of Artis Ābols, a former Latvian forward and current head coach of HK Zemgale/LLU. Ābols was selected by the in the seventh round, 184th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to turning professional, he played junior hockey in the with the after being drafted 50th overall in the 2015 . He began his professional career in the (KHL) with , where he was previously selected in the 2013 KHL Draft (fifth round, 143rd overall), and later moved to the (SHL), accumulating 85 goals and 78 assists in 266 games across teams like and . After signing as a with the in May 2019, Ābols spent time in the (AHL) with their affiliates before joining the as a in June 2024 on a one-year contract worth $800,000. In the 2024–25 NHL season, he recorded 5 points (2 goals and 3 assists) in 22 games with the Flyers. He signed a contract extension with the Flyers in May 2025, keeping him with the team through the 2025–26 season. Internationally, Ābols has represented at multiple IIHF World Championships, including the 2025 tournament, contributing to their historic first-ever medal—a —at the 2023 tournament in , , and , , where they defeated the 4–3 in . In the SHL, he earned the Best award in 2022.

Early life and junior career

Early life

Rodrigo Ābols was born on January 5, 1996, in , . He is the son of Artis Ābols, a former professional ice hockey player who later became a coach for teams including in the . Raised in , Ābols grew up immersed in Latvia's hockey culture, with his father's career providing early exposure to the sport. He took his initial steps in organized hockey through local youth programs, beginning with Prizma Riga, a prominent development club in the Latvian capital. Ābols' early training focused on building foundational skills in these community-based settings, where his physical attributes and dedication began to emerge. Influenced by his father's professional background and the family's deep ties to hockey, he committed to pursuing the competitively from a young age.

Junior career

Rodrigo Ābols began his competitive junior career in with HK Rīga of the Minor Hockey League (MHL), the development league for the (KHL). In his debut 2013–14 season, the 17-year-old forward appeared in 44 regular-season games, scoring 7 goals and 9 assists for 16 points while accumulating 34 penalty minutes, as he adjusted to the physical demands of the league. His development accelerated the following year, 2014–15, when he emerged as a key contributor with 20 goals and 18 assists in 35 games, totaling 38 points and earning a spot in the MHL for his improved offensive output and physical presence. Seeking greater exposure ahead of the NHL Draft, Ābols transitioned to North American junior hockey after being selected 50th overall in the 2015 by the of the (WHL). In his rookie WHL season of 2015–16, the 6-foot-4 center adapted to the league's speed and intensity, registering 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points in 62 games, including three game-winning goals that underscored his growing reliability in high-pressure situations. Ābols' second WHL year in 2016–17 proved challenging, as he played only two games for Portland after returning from a subpar and facing import slot constraints that limited his opportunities. Waived by the Winterhawks in October 2016, he signed with the of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he thrived in a more prominent role, posting 18 goals and 32 assists for 50 points in 52 regular-season games and contributing 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 11 playoff contests. This mid-season move highlighted his adaptability amid roster and performance hurdles in . Ābols capped his junior tenure by being selected 184th overall in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the . Scouts viewed him as a gritty, two-way forward with a large frame, agile skating for his size, and smart puck-handling, projecting potential as a reliable top-nine NHL contributor if he continued refining his explosiveness and consistency.

Professional career

European professional leagues

Ābols began his professional career in the (KHL) with his hometown club, Dinamo Rīga, during the 2014–15 season. As an 18-year-old forward, he made his debut on December 27, 2014, and appeared in 14 games overall, registering 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points while adjusting to the league's physical demands. In 2017, Ābols signed his first contract with of the (SHL), marking his transition to one of Europe's top domestic leagues. His 2017–18 season was limited to 26 games, where he recorded 0 goals and 1 assist, primarily serving in a depth role as he acclimated to professional play. By the 2018–19 season, Ābols showed significant growth, appearing in 45 games with 18 goals and 8 assists for 26 points, emerging as a reliable known for his physicality and net-front presence. Ābols continued with Örebro HK through the 2022–23 season, posting strong performances: in 2020–21, 47 games with 20 goals and 15 assists for 35 points; in 2021–22, 47 games with 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points; and in 2022–23, 51 games with 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points. He transferred to Rögle BK in 2023, where in the 2023–24 season he appeared in 50 games, achieving 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points. At 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) and 206 lb (93 kg), the left-shooting forward leveraged his size for a gritty, physical style, effectively adapting to the league's high-tempo, skill-oriented pace while contributing on the forecheck and in board battles. Over his SHL tenure, Ābols played 266 games, accumulating 85 goals and 78 assists for 163 points, establishing himself as a consistent scorer and physical presence in European professional hockey.

North American minor leagues

Following his selection by the Vancouver Canucks in the seventh round (184th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Ābols completed two seasons in major junior hockey before signing a two-year entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers as an unrestricted free agent on May 28, 2019. He was subsequently assigned to the Panthers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, for the 2019–20 season, where he recorded 7 goals and 16 assists for 23 points in 36 games, providing secondary scoring on a team that reached the Calder Cup Finals before the playoffs were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To aid his transition from European-style play, Ābols also spent time with the Panthers' ECHL affiliate, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, scoring 3 goals in just 4 games early in the season, a highlight that demonstrated his offensive potential in a lower league. The abbreviated campaign limited his overall development, but it marked his initial exposure to North American professional hockey's demands. Ābols returned to after the 2019–20 season, playing four years in the (SHL), before re-entering the NHL market as an unrestricted free agent in 2024. On June 15, 2024, he signed a one-year, with the , who assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the , for the 2024–25 season. In 47 regular-season games with the Phantoms, Ābols posted 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points, leading the team in goals and establishing himself as a reliable middle-six forward with a physical edge. He added 2 goals in 7 playoff games as advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, showcasing improved consistency after his earlier North American stint. Throughout his minor-league tenure, Ābols faced challenges adapting from larger European ice surfaces to the NHL's smaller rinks (85 by 200 feet), which emphasized quicker transitions, tighter checking, and increased physicality—adjustments he navigated during his brief 2019–20 exposure and more fully in 2024–25. His time with Greenville served as a key bridging period, helping him acclimate to these demands before returning to the AHL, where his growth in explosiveness and defensive reliability positioned him for potential NHL opportunities.

NHL career

Ābols signed a one-year, with the on June 15, 2024, worth $775,000 at the NHL level. Originally selected by the in the seventh round (184th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, he later signed as an undrafted free agent with the organization in 2019 before returning to . He made his NHL debut on January 21, 2025, as a bottom-six forward in the Flyers' 2–1 overtime victory against the . In the 2024–25 season, Ābols appeared in 22 games for , recording 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points while posting a -10 rating and averaging 9:11 of time per game. His first NHL goal came on February 5, 2025, in a 3–2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. The Flyers re-signed him to a one-year, two-way extension worth $800,000 on May 15, 2025. As a depth forward, Ābols has contributed physical play and energy to Philadelphia's bottom six, leveraging his 6-foot-4 frame for forechecking and penalty killing. As of November 14, 2025, in the ongoing 2025–26 season, he has played 11 games with no points, a -4 , and an average of 8:54 time per game, showing potential for expanded roles amid the team's development focus.

International career

Junior international play

Ābols made his junior international debut with the Latvia U18 national team at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championship Division I A in Nice, . Playing all five games, he recorded 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points, contributing to Latvia's gold medal-winning performance. The team finished first with a 4–1–0 record, outscoring opponents 20–11 to earn promotion to the top division for the 2015 . Ābols transitioned to the U20 level for the 2014 Division I A in Vojens, , where he suited up for in all five contests, tallying 3 goals and 2 assists for 5 points. secured silver with a 4–1–0 record, scoring 23 goals while allowing just 7, though they fell short of promotion after a 1–0 loss to in the final. The following year, at the 2015 tournament in , , Ābols again played a full slate of five games, notching 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points as claimed in third place with a 2–2–1 record (15 goals for, 11 against), remaining in Division I A. In his final junior international tournament, the 2016 Division I A in , , Ābols served as an alternate captain and led Latvia's offense with 4 goals and 1 assist over five games. His contributions helped secure the top spot with a 4–1–0 record (20–7 goal differential) and promotion to the top division for 2017.

Senior international play

Ābols made his senior international debut for at the , appearing in seven games without recording a point as the team finished 15th overall. He returned for subsequent tournaments, including the (7 games, 0 goals, 1 assist), the 2018 edition (8 games, 1 goal, 4 assists), and served as captain at the 2022 tournament (7 games, 1 goal, 1 assist). Ābols appeared in two games at the , recording one goal in a limited role that helped avoid relegation, finishing 14th overall. Ābols emerged as a key contributor during the , 's historic breakthrough tournament, scoring five goals and adding two assists for seven points in 10 games en route to the nation's first-ever medal—a bronze won in overtime against the . This performance earned him recognition as one of 's top three players in the tournament. In the , Ābols continued his strong form with two goals and two assists in seven games, again tying for one of 's top three players on the team despite the squad's 10th-place finish. He served as an assistant captain, underscoring his growing leadership role. Ābols represented at the , playing three games and scoring two goals, including against and , as the team did not advance to the . His consistent international play has been instrumental in elevating 's standing, contributing to the team's rise from 11th to 10th in the IIHF world rankings following the 2023 medal and maintaining that status through 2025.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Ābols began his professional career in the (KHL) with Dinamo Rīga during the 2014–15 season, appearing in 14 games and recording 5 points. After junior stints in , he transitioned to the (SHL) in 2017, initially splitting time with before establishing himself as a top scorer in . His production peaked in the SHL with seasons of 35 and 41 points, leading to a move to the National Hockey League (NHL) with the in 2024. In North American minor leagues, he contributed steadily in the (AHL) and briefly in the .

Regular Season Statistics

SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2014–15Dinamo RīgaKHL141454+3
2017–18SHL260116–4
2017–18BIK Karlskoga (loan)1871017200
2018–19SHL451882620–1
2019–20AHL367162315+7
2019–2043144+1
2020–21SHL4720153516+6
2021–22SHL471420346+26
2022–23SHL5119224112–2
2023–24SHL5014122610–18
2024–25NHL222354–10
2024–25AHL4715173212–3
2025–26NHL110005–4

Playoff Statistics

Ābols has appeared in multiple SHL playoffs with and , where he recorded notable scoring outbursts, including 7 goals in 8 games during the 2021–22 postseason. In the AHL, he contributed during ' 2024–25 playoffs. He has yet to appear in NHL playoffs as of November 2025.
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2018–19SHL20110–2
2020–21SHL937102+4
2021–22SHL873100+2
2022–23SHL130662–1
2023–24SHL1557122+1
2024–25AHL72020–1

Career Totals

Across professional leagues, Ābols has demonstrated steady progression as a goal-scoring forward, particularly in the SHL where he tallied 85 goals in 266 regular-season games, reflecting his development into a reliable offensive contributor before his NHL transition. Cumulative statistics exclude junior leagues. Regular Season Totals
  • NHL: 33 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 Pts, 9 PIM, –14 +/-
  • AHL: 83 GP, 22 G, 33 A, 55 Pts, 27 PIM, +4 +/-
  • : 4 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 4 Pts, 4 PIM, +1 +/-
  • KHL: 14 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 Pts, 4 PIM, +3 +/-
  • SHL: 266 GP, 85 G, 78 A, 163 Pts, 70 PIM, +7 +/-
  • : 18 GP, 7 G, 10 A, 17 Pts, 20 PIM, 0 +/-
Playoff Totals
  • SHL: 47 GP, 15 G, 24 A, 39 Pts, 6 PIM, +4 +/-
  • AHL: 7 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 2 Pts, 0 PIM, –1 +/-

International

Ābols has competed for in junior and senior international tournaments, with notable performances in World Championships. His statistics from these events are detailed below.

Junior World Championships

SeasonTournamentGPGAPts
2013–14U18 Div I A5134
2013–14U20 Div I A5325
2014–15U20 Div I A5224
2015–16U20 Div I A5415

IIHF World Championships (Senior)

YearGPGAPts
20192101
20217112
20227112
202310527
20247224
20253202
In the , where earned bronze, Ābols tallied 5 goals and 2 assists over 10 games. His total points across senior IIHF World Championships from 2019 to 2025 stand at 18. Across all international competitions for the national team, Ābols has appeared in 76 games, scoring 30 goals and recording 25 assists for 55 points.

Awards and honors

Professional awards

During his tenure with HK Rīga in the Minor Hockey League (MHL), Ābols was selected to participate in the MHL in , recognizing his standout performance as a junior professional prospect. In the 2021–22 season with of the (SHL), Ābols led the league with a rating of +26, earning the SHL Best award for his defensive contributions and overall impact on the ice. Ābols won a with in the 2023–24 SHL playoffs, losing the final to 1–4.

International honors

Ābols contributed significantly to Latvia's historic bronze medal at the , the nation's first ever medal at the senior level, where he recorded five goals and two assists in ten games, including assisting on a crucial tying goal in the quarterfinal against . He was named one of Latvia's top three players at the tournament by the IIHF directorate. In 2024, Ābols again earned recognition as one of Latvia's top three players at the , highlighting his consistent leadership and performance on the international stage despite the team finishing outside the medals. At the junior level, Ābols helped secure Latvia's promotion to the top division as an alternate captain, contributing 5 points (4 goals, 1 assist) in five games to the team's at the 2016 IIHF World U20 Championship Division I A.

References

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