Ronalds Ķēniņš


Ronalds Ķēniņš is a Latvian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Lausanne HC of the National League. He previously played for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League.

Playing career

Ķēniņš played junior hockey in Latvia and Switzerland. At 17 years-of-age, he started his professional career with GCK Lions of the National League B, Switzerland's second-tier league, in 2008–09. After three seasons with the Lions organization, Kenins joined ZSC Lions of the top-tier National League A. Following the 2012–13 season, he was signed by the Vancouver Canucks on July 30, 2013. He remained in Switzerland for the 2013–14 season and recorded an NLA career-high eight goals and 25 points in 39 games.
Ķēniņš moved to North America for the 2014–15 season and was assigned to the Canucks' American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets. After being called up midway through the season, Kenins made his NHL debut on January 30, 2015, against the Buffalo Sabres. The following game, Ķēniņš scored his first career NHL goal against Devan Dubnyk of the Minnesota Wild on February 1, 2015. On April 17, Ķēniņš scored his first career Stanley Cup playoff goal on a one-timer assisted by linemate and fellow rookie Bo Horvat.
On August 17, 2016, Kenins agreed as a free agent to a two-year contract with former team, the ZSC Lions of the NL. Kenins plays with a Swiss player-license and isn't considered an import player in the NL.
On April 28, 2018, Kenins signed a three-year contract worth CHF 1.8 million with fellow National League club, Lausanne HC.

International play

At the junior level, Ķēniņš played for Latvia in two IIHF World U18 Championships and two IIHF World U20 Championships. He made his debut with Latvia's men's team at the 2011 IIHF World Championship and has gone on to play in 2012, 2013 and 2014. In February 2014, he played for Latvia at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International