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Eduards Tralmaks on NHL ambitions: ‘I still haven’t given up on my dream yet’

Photo credit: © Amber Searls-Imagn Images

By Michael Menzies

Sep 22, 2026, 17:00 EDT

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Even from all the way over in Riga, Latvia, Eduards Tralmaks dreamt of playing in the National Hockey League as a kid.

Now, at 29-years-old, he’ll get a chance to play for the Edmonton Oilers in the pre-season on Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets. Afterwards? Who knows. But for now, Tralmaks gets a look.

“I guess I still haven’t given up on my dream yet,” he told reporters on Tuesday afternoon. “I’m 29 already…but I still believe in myself. I still believe I can make it. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always had one wish, and it was to play in the NHL. So, just one more try. Hopefully, not the last one, and hopefully it works out this time.”

Growing up, former Oilers forward Sergei Zholtok was one of Tralmaks’ favourite players. Tragically, Zholtok passed away at 31 in 2004, collapsing mid-game with HK Riga, but for a generation of young Latvian players, he remains an inspiration.

“When I was No. 34, I picked up the number because of him, and I was 33 when I was growing up also because of that,” said Tralmaks. “But all of my teammates, honestly, I played with Zemgus Girgensons, Teddy Blueger in the Olympics, and those are the top names that I grew up watching, and I still watch them to this day.”

What path did Eduards Tralmaks take to earn an Edmonton Oilers contract?

Tralmaks’ signing on July 1 was overshadowed by the Darnell Nurse trade, Ryan Shea contract, and Frederik Andersen news, but the organization saw something in the player to make him a day one acquisition.

He was productive with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL in 2025-26, scoring 26 goals and 42 points in 64 games with the Red Wings affiliate. He also scored four goals in their eight playoff games.

Last winter also saw him do something not many others have: represent their country at the Olympics. Tralmaks led Latvia in goals at the tournament with three, better than NHL teammates like Zemgus Girgensons and Teddy Blueger, for example.

His commitment to the game is underscored by his path back to North America, where he had once played through the ranks in the NCAA, ECHL, and AHL. Jumping back to Europe for a two-year stint in the Czech league from 2023 to 2025, Tralmaks led the league in scoring in 2024–25 to get another chance.

“Another year, another try,” said Tralmaks. “I’ve been working towards this my whole life. Hadn’t had a chance to play yet, but I think this is the spot for me to just improve as a player, keep going, and potentially get an opportunity. There’s a lot of guys here that can compete for the spot, but I just need to go and show my game the best I can.”

Tralmaks will play on the left wing with Viljami Marjala and Quinn Hutson on Edmonton’s third line against Winnipeg. It could be his only opportunity to showcase his game, banging pucks around the net, and being tough to play against with his six-foot-four, 225 pound frame.

“That’s how I see myself — a power forward that can pick up the trash and put it in the net,” he said.

“I think a lot of teams would love somebody like that. I also have a good shot, a good one-timer that I can score on the power play as well, so a lot of different attributes. A very unique player, I would say. More of a hard work, and just doesn’t matter how, but just put the puck in the net.”

Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.

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