After signing his ELC, the 21 year old Latvian forward joined the Providence Bruins for their playoffs. He posted an assist in four games. His collegiate career ends with 70 games, 15 goals and 32 assists over two NCAA seasons. Locmelis, a fourth round pick in 2022, will suit up for the baby Bruins in the AHL, hoping to hone his game and earn his way onto a retooling Bruins squad that has seen many of his dynasty level veterans move on via retirement or trade in recent seasons. He doesn’t appear to be a future linemate of David Pastrnak, but is more likely a defensively responsible, complimentary contributing third liner if he makes the NHL. He is not on many radars at present, being rostered in less than 20% of Fantrax leagues. Watch his progression to the AHL to see the type of game he plays and how he is deployed for insight as to his usage at the NHL level in several years’ time.

The Boston Bruins signed Locmelis to a three-year entry-level contract with an annual NHL cap hit of $860,000. He will report to the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League on an ATO.

Locmelis had a mini coming-out party at the Summer edition of the 2022 World Junior tournament, scoring three goals in six games on a subpar Latvian team. He parlayed this into a successful campaign with his Lulea team in the Swedish Junior League, putting up 25 goals and 34 assists in just 44 games. Locmelis will look to adapt to the North American game next season when he plays his freshman season at the University of Massachusetts. With a looming Boston rebuild and playing hockey in-state for college, Locmelis could be paving the way to crack the Bruins roster in the coming years.