HOW ACQUIRED: Signed as a free agent on April 18, 2023

2023-24 NOTES

• Ranked 2nd on Charlotte (AHL) defensemen in assists (18)
• Skated in 26 NHL games with Florida, potting three points (1-2-3) and eight PIMs
• Recorded an assist, March 23 at NYR
• Posted 21 points (3-18-21) in 35 AHL games w/ Charlotte before being recalled by FLA on March 21
• Posted his 1st NHL assist, Nov. 14 at SJS
• Scored his 1st NHL goal, Nov. 10 vs. CAR
• Made his NHL debut, Oct. 12 at MIN

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Appeared in 140 Extraliga games between Liberec (2022-23) and HC Litvinov (2020-21 to 2021-22), amassing 75 points (25-50-75)
• Skated in parts of five seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), logging 34 points (10-24-34) over 135 games with Dinamo Riga from 2015-16 to 2019-20
• Played for the Liberec White Tigers (2022-23) and HC Litvinov (2020-21 to 2021-22) of the Czech Extraliga, logging 75 points (25-50-75) in 140 appearances. In the 2022-23 season, Balinskis was named the Extraliga’s Best Defenseman, leading all Extraliga defenseman in goals (11) and points (35).
• Represented Latvia at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, posting three assists over four contests
• Represented his home country at the IIHF World Championships in 2018, 2019 and 2021

FIRSTS/SINGLE-GAME HIGHS/STREAKS

First NHL Game: Oct. 12, 2023 at MIN

First NHL Goal: Nov. 10, 2023 vs. CAR

Most Goals, Single Game: 1, Nov. 10, 2023 vs. CAR

Most Assists, Single Game: 1 [2X], Last: March 23, 2024 at NYR

Most Points, Single Game: 1 [3X], Last: March 23, 2024 at NYR

Most PIM, Single Game: 4, Oct. 12, 2023 at MIN

Most Shots, Single Game: 4, Nov. 10, 2023 vs. CAR

Longest Goal Streak: --

Longest Assist Streak: --

Longest Point Streak: --