It’s a strong start to 2026 for defenseman Uvis Balinskis. He begins the year expecting a baby with his wife, joining Team Latvia for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, and extending his contract with the Panthers. Following these major life developments, Balinskis also shared another career highlight with his countryman, Sandis Vilmanis.
On Jan. 15, the Florida Panthers visited the White House in Washington, DC, for a congratulatory ceremony. The following day, the team faced one of their toughest losses of the season, falling 9-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. Despite the outcome, two Latvian-born players, Sandis Vilmanis and Uvis Balinskis, combined for one goal.