Former Ottawa Senators forward Kaspars Daugavins announced his retirement from hockey this week at the age of 36. His last NHL game was 12 years ago, but Daugavins still went on to carve out a nice pro career after that, mostly in the KHL, while also starring for Latvia’s national team as their captain.
Daugavins was drafted by the Senators in the third round of the 2006 NHL Draft and scored 15 points in 91 career NHL games. But he’ll best be remembered for his unconventional shootout attempt against Tuukka Rask and the Boston Bruins in 2013.
Using the tip of his stick blade on top of the puck, Daugavins made a fantastic, spinning move and almost scored, but Rask ruined the fun.
The following season, the NHL outlawed spin-o-rama moves in the shootout. Players are probably still allowed to carry the puck like Daugavins did, but without the spin at the end there’s not much advantage in it.
Daugavins was successful with the move in the AHL for the Binghamton Senators in 2009 against the Michael Andlauer-owned Hamilton Bulldogs.
Daugavins spent seven seasons in the Sens organization, including 85 NHL games in Ottawa, He played six games with Boston at the end of his NHL days.
Kaspars Daugaviņš has officially announced his retirement from the @NHL after 91 regular-season games-played.
A 3rd round pick of the Ottawa @Senators in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Kaspars would go on to record 15 career points playing for the Senators and @NHLBruins. He also… pic.twitter.com/bbIZPUUlS1
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) November 26, 2024
