Ronalds Ķēniņš

Ķēniņš played junior ice hockey in Latvia and Switzerland. At 17 years of age, he started his professional career with GCK Lions of the National League B (NLB), Switzerland's second-tier league, in 2008–09. After three seasons with the Lions organization, Ķēniņš joined ZSC Lions of the top-tier National League A (NLA). Following the 2012–13 season, he was signed by the Vancouver Canucks on July 30, 2013.^[1] 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 (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets. After being called up midway through the season, Ķēniņš made his NHL debut on January 30, 2015, against the Buffalo Sabres (a team that featured fellow Latvian Zemgus Girgensons and the former Latvian national team's head coach, Ted Nolan).^[2] The following game, Ķēniņš scored his first career NHL goal against Devan Dubnyk of the Minnesota Wild on February 1.^[3] On April 17, Ķēniņš scored his first career Stanley Cup playoff goal on a one-timer assisted by linemate and fellow rookie Bo Horvat.^{[citation needed]}

On August 17, 2016, Ķēniņš agreed as a free agent to a two-year contract with his former team, the ZSC Lions of the National League (NL).^[4] Ķēniņš playrd with a Swiss player-licence and was not considered an import player in the NL.^{[citation needed]}

On April 28, 2018, Ķēniņš signed a three-year contract with fellow NL club, Lausanne HC.^[5] On May 8, 2021, he signed a five-year contract extension.^[6] On December 29, 2022, Ķēniņš was loaned to HC Sierre of the Swiss League (SL).^[7]

On November 13, 2024, Ķēniņš and Lausanne HC mutually agreed to terminate the contract. He had not played any games for the team during the 2023–24 season but had played seven games on loan to HC Sierre.^[8] The next day, Ķēniņš signed a try-out contract with SC Bern that was valid until December 22, with an option to extend it until the end of the season.^[9]

Quick facts Medal record, Men's ice hockey ...

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Latvia
World Championships
	2023 Finland/Latvia

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At the junior level, Ķēniņš played for Latvia in two World U18 Championships (second tier Division I play) and two World Junior Championships (one year in Division I and another in the top tier). He made his debut with Latvia senior team at the 2011 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.

He represented Latvia at the 2023 World Championship where he recorded one assist and won a bronze medal, Latvia's first-ever IIHF World Championship medal.^[10]