Artūrs Šilovs

Artūrs Šilovs (born 22 March 2001) is a Latvian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Šilovs was selected by the Canucks in the sixth round, 156th overall, in the 2019 NHL entry draft and made his NHL debut with the team in 2023.

Playing with the Latvian national team, Šilovs played a central role in the country's first-ever medal at Ice Hockey World Championships in 2023.

Playing career

Šilovs started his hockey career with HS Riga of the Optibet Hockey League. At the 2019 NHL Entry Draft he was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the sixth round, 156th overall. He was subsequently selected by the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League in the 2019 CHL Import Draft, 11th overall, and joined them for the 2019–20 season. Šilovs signed a contract with Vancouver on 23 August 2019.

In 2021, he started playing for the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League, recording a .888 save percentage for the team in 10 games in the 2021–22 season. Šilovs made his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks on 15 February 2023, against the New York Rangers.

He finished the season playing five games for Vancouver and 44 games for Abbotsford, being named the team MVP for Abbotsford.

Continuing to play primarily in Abbotsford through the 2023–24 season, Šilovs was called up to make his Stanley Cup playoff debut following injuries to Vancouver's regular goaltenders, Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith, three games into the Canucks' first-round series against the Nashville Predators. On 28 April 2024, he started his first playoff game, stopping 27 of 30 shots and helping the Canucks to a 4–3 win. Šilovs retained the net even after DeSmith's return to the roster, and on May 3 he recorded his first playoff shutout in Vancouver's series-clinching Game 6, a 1–0 win. He became the youngest goaltender in franchise history to earn a playoff shutout. In July 2024, Šilovs signed a 2-year extension with the Canucks.

International play

Šilovs made his international debut with Latvia under-18 team at the 2019 World U18 Championships, where his team placed eighth. Three years later, he accepted his first invitation to join the senior national team at the 2022 World Championship, where he played four games and recorded a .952 save percentage. He began the tournament as backup goaltender to Columbus Blue Jackets starter Elvis Merzļikins but was judged to have significantly outperformed Merzļikins during the tournament, and was given the start in the team's final game in the group stage. Latvia did not advance to the knockout rounds.

After his strong showing at the 2022 championships, Šilovs rejoined the national team for the 2023 World Championship, which was jointly hosted by Latvia and Finland. Šilovs relieved goaltender Ivars Punnenovs early in the team's first game of the tournament, and thereafter started every game for Latvia, leading them on an unexpectedly deep run to the bronze medal game. There they defeated the heavily-favoured United States national team, winning the bronze medal, the first of any medals for Latvia at an IIHF World Championship. Šilovs played 60 minutes more than any other goaltender in the tournament. In recognition of his pivotal role in the team's success, he was named the championship's best goaltender and most valuable player (MVP) by the IIHF directorate, as well as to the Media All-Star Team. Following the historic result, the Latvian Saeima declared a public holiday. Šilovs later finished second in the voting for the inaugural IIHF Male Player of the Year award, behind Connor Bedard.

Personal life

Šilovs was born in Ventspils, Latvia. He learned to skate when he was three years old, playing forward at that time. When he was six years old, he became a goaltender. When he was ten years old, he moved to Riga.

He got married in 2019 at age 18, and divorced in 2023.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honours

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Silovs, Arturs
2001 births
Living people
Abbotsford Canucks players
Barrie Colts players
Ice hockey people from Riga
Latvian ice hockey goaltenders
Manitoba Moose players
Trois-Rivières Lions players
Vancouver Canucks draft picks
Vancouver Canucks players
21st-century Latvian sportsmen
HK Mogo players
HK Riga players