Where Have You Gone Sandis Ozolinsh?

 

Patrick Hoffman (HV)

 

What started out as a very promising career for a defenseman who average around 45 points per season from 1992-2001, Sandis Ozolinsh’s career was suddenly turned upside down this summer when he was arrested for driving while impaired. Since that date, everything positive about Ozolinsh’s game, including his point shot, passing ability and forward mobility has disappeared.

 

When the Rangers acquired Ozolinsh, who voluntarily spent time in the NHL’s substance abuse program last season, from the Anaheim Ducks last March, the team thought that they were getting a defenseman who could help the power play, make outlet passes and provide some offense to a team sorely needing it on the backline. While he did provide some offense in the beginning, Ozolinsh turned out to be a disaster once the playoffs came..

 

In 19 games with the Rangers, Ozolinsh has 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points and was a +2. However, it was in the playoffs where Ozolinsh lost all the aspects that made him such a quality hockey player to begin with as the team was swept in four straight games. Ozolinsh was on the ice for five goals against in the first three games of the first-round matchup and was often the cause of many Devils’ odd-man rushes.

 

Things continued to go downhill for the former standout defenseman even after the Rangers were ousted from the playoffs in the beginning of May, as the defenseman was arrested for a drunk driving charge and was also issued summons for speeding and driving without a seatbelt.

 

When Sandis returned to the ice this season, he was not in much better shape than he was in the playoffs as he recorded only three assists in 21 games and was an alarming -8 as he continued to make poor decisions in his own zone and constantly turn over the puck. As a result of his play, Sandis was put on waivers in December and than sent to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers AHL affiliate.

 

A week after being sent down to Hartford, Ozolinsh’s tenure with the Blueshirts took another turn when he was placed on injured reserve due to a knee condition. More recently, he was seen on the ice at the Rangers’ practice facility in Greenburgh, NY but does not appear to be even close to game shape.

 

Is Ozolinsh’s tenure with the Rangers over with? It is safe to say so. Is Ozolinsh done with hockey and the NHL in general? That is one question that nobody knows the answer to as only time will tell if Ozolinsh will return to the sport that he once excelled in.

 

 

Photo: Sandis Ozolinsh © Chris Fuller (HV)