Sandis Vilmanis has 18 goals in 19 games since being traded to North Bay from the Sarnia Sting at the OHL Trade Deadline.
Florida Panthers prospect Sandis Vilmanis has hit the ground running since joining the North Bay Battalion. He has scored 18 goals in his first 19 games with the Troops.
The Sarnia Sting traded Vilmanis at this year's OHL Trade Deadline, along with Jacob and Andrew Leblanc to North Bay. In return, they acquired rookie Carter Kostuch, defender Alex Cajkovic, and six draft selections.
This trade worked out for both sides — with Sarnia being a rebuilder and North Bay being hopeful contenders.
Vilamanis though, has been the piece that has found the most success so far in this deal.
The Riga, Latvia-born left winger came over to the OHL in the 2022-2023 season to join the Sting who picked him 14th overall in the 2022 CHL Import Draft. Vilmanis has represented Latvia at three consecutive World Junior Championships. This past tournament, he put up 4 points in 5 games while wearing the 'A' for his country.
Vilmanis possesses a lot of pure skill and oozes creativity, and that has become evident while playing in a Battalion jersey. In Sarnia, he was always an effective player, but he never quite found a groove in the lineup. With North Bay, he has found success in their heavily-structured system.
North Bay is hoping to be strong contenders in the playoffs this season, and they acquired Vilmanis to help them get there. Vilmanis has proven he can score, and he will likely continue to do so.
Vilmanis can be relied upon to score big goals and make big time plays when his team needs a goal, and that will be critical for the Battalion come playoffs.