by Jonathan Mills | AHL On The Beat
Going all the way in which again to when he first laced up his skates whereas rising up in Riga, Latvia, Eduards Tralmaks has needed to play hockey on the sport’s highest degree.
In consequence, Tralmaks has chased that dream everywhere in the world. And now, he’s in Michigan, representing the Grand Rapids Griffins after signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Pink Wings final March.
“My complete life, I’ve been battling to get a possibility to play within the NHL,” stated Tralmaks, who recorded 51 factors in 48 video games for Kladno to steer the Czech Extraliga in scoring in 2024-25. “After final 12 months, I assumed that I had the very best season of my life. My subsequent step was to provide it one other shot. Detroit was one of many organizations that I talked to and felt like a spot the place I may develop. Clearly, Grand Rapids was a giant push too, as a result of it’s an amazing metropolis with nice followers and an amazing area.
“On the finish of the day, the aim is to play at the very least one sport within the NHL.”
Tralmaks stated his play final season was a continuation of the strides he took in 2023-24, when he tallied 32 factors in 52 regular-season video games. He had returned to Europe following two seasons within the AHL with the Windfall Bruins.
“It was a season the place I felt approach totally different,” the 28-year-old Tralmaks stated. “I had far more confidence in my shot and felt like all the pieces was entering into. I assumed that was my breakout 12 months. Some may say it was somewhat bit too late due to my age, however that doesn’t matter. When you take a look at the Latvians which have made it within the NHL, there are many guys who’re examples of that. Although I’m at this level of my profession at my age, you continue to have an opportunity.
“The largest factor is confidence. When you get rolling and also you grow to be one of many guys that coaches belief to ship out in these large moments, it helps all the pieces.”
Earlier than recording 41 factors in 87 video games with Windfall, Tralmaks compiled 82 factors in 119 video games throughout 4 seasons on the College of Maine. He additionally performed junior hockey with the Chicago Metal in 2016-17, profitable a United States Hockey League championship and playoff MVP honors.
“My time on the College of Maine was large step in my profession, in all probability the very best time of my life each out and in of hockey,” he stated. “After I went there, the coaches helped me study my function on the crew. After my time within the USHL, I assumed I used to be extra of a abilities man. I assumed I used to be the form of man who dangles, scores stunning targets and dishes out assists. I can nonetheless try this, however the coaches instructed me if I need to make it far, I need to play extra of a grinder function whereas additionally making the performs that I do know I could make.”
Tralmaks has developed into the kind of participant he’s at this time due to his experiences, particularly as he was first adjusting his sport to the North American rink. And as he’s put within the work over time, Tralmaks stated having a robust sense of perception and self-trust is an underappreciated part of the sport that may “make a median participant an amazing participant, and an amazing participant a famous person.”
“The way in which I see confidence, it’s the one superpower a participant can have,” Tralmaks stated. “It’s actually a superpower as a result of after we are assured, not even hockey-wise or sports-wise, it’s in all places in life. When persons are assured, like in a gross sales job, they’ll promote something. It’s the identical in sports activities. If you find yourself assured, you are able to do stuff you by no means thought you may do.”
To construct and maintain confidence, nevertheless, is a psychological battle that Tralmaks stated could be received through the use of the ability of perseverance.
“The factor with confidence is, it’s so good when you’ve got it and is absolutely laborious to get it whenever you don’t have it,” Tralmaks stated. “It’s essential to work for it. For some, it helps whenever you do sure issues in apply, however finally, it begins with having good performs throughout video games or scoring targets. The boldness from a coach additionally performs a giant function into it.”
Persevering with to look again on his winding journey up so far, Tralmaks feels he’s performed a superb job of holding himself accountable and understanding the place his strengths finally lie.
“I may not be the prettiest participant or have the very best arms, however the way in which I need to place myself is by exhibiting that I’m the toughest employee,” Tralmaks stated. “For instance, in relation to capturing, there is perhaps guys who’re higher than me. However in relation to a puck within the nook and it’s me versus another person, even when it’s the very best participant on this planet, that’s the battle that I’m selecting. That’s the kind of hockey that I need to play. I’m not going to have highlight-reel targets, however I’ll guarantee that puck is within the web.”
Griffins head coach Dan Watson stated the 6-foot-4, 225-pound ahead has been an amazing addition to the crew.
“The blokes who performed with him or knew him earlier than he signed with us final spring all stated what an amazing man he’s,” stated Watson. “He retains the room mild and is a type of guys who likes to have enjoyable contained in the locker room. A real crew man, after which on the ice he’s acquired a bodily presence. A giant man who has no drawback understanding tips on how to get to the web. He has a superb shot and is a man we want offensively, however even his understanding of the defensive facet of the sport is bettering. We want that large, bodily presence on the forecheck, across the web, and contributing to our offensive-zone numbers proper now.”
Tralmaks additionally touched on Grand Rapids’ sturdy chemistry, which he stated helped the membership get off to its spectacular season-opening begin.
“It undoubtedly begins within the locker room,” Tralmaks stated. “We spent a lot time collectively earlier than our first sport. I got here to Detroit two weeks previous to coaching camp, so I acquired to know loads of the fellows. Everyone seems to be so humble and right down to earth.”
Tralmaks stated he’s already fashioned a number of shut friendships on the membership, particularly with netminder Michal Postava and forwards Jakub Rychlovský and Ondrej Becher – all of
whom are Czechs.
“We’re the closest individuals to one another on the crew,” Tralmaks stated. “Although I’m Latvian they nonetheless deal with me like I’m Czech. I perceive their language, though I don’t communicate again. We all know what it’s like in Europe and it bonds us collectively.”
At all times radiating constructive vitality, Tralmaks has excessive expectations for himself. He is aware of it’s going to take greater than his character to get to the place he needs to go.
“My job as a participant on my line is to dig it out, get it to my linemates, and once they get it to me, I shoot the puck,” Tralmaks stated. “I’m the man that wishes to be on the ice. I need to present that I’m accountable. I need to maintain making hits and capturing the puck. I need to maintain doing all of that and show to the coaches that I’m a gamer. I would like them to know that I’m right here to play and probably earn extra of these minutes or stand up into the lineup. I’ll simply maintain doing my greatest to succeed.”
In keeping with Tralmaks, he’s thought of hanging up his skates a couple of instances over time. However in these moments, the ahead has remembered simply how far he’s come and what he nonetheless goals to realize.
“Generally, after I got here house after robust video games, I’d sit there and assume to myself, ‘Why am I doing this? It’s so laborious to maintain doing this,’” Tralmaks stated. “When you take a look at my hockey profession, all the pieces I’ve performed has been by way of dedication and laborious work. Lots of ups and downs, in all probability extra downs than ups. However the extra that you really want it, I really feel the upper share it’s that you simply’ll succeed and the upper probability that you simply’re going to earn it. It simply comes right down to the individual that I’m.
“I need to set an instance for Latvians and my household. I need to present my dad and mom that I’m not going to surrender, and be some form of inspiration to anyone. If I look again at my profession, and I do know that I did all the pieces I may, then I can take a look at myself within the mirror after I’m performed and know I stayed true to myself.”
