Rodrigo Ābols, 28, signed a 1yr/$775k deal with the Philadelphia Flyers on June 15th, 2024. In the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, he was a seventh-round pick by the Vancouver Canucks, but only played in the WHL, the QMJHL, and the SHL. The Florida Panthers signed Ābols to an entry-level contract in 2019 for 2yrs/$1.64mil.
In 2015-2016, Ābols was one of the standout forwards on the Portland Winterhawks. His 49 points (20G, 29A) paced ahead of Cody Glass, a teammate who became the sixth overall selection in the first round by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017.
Ābols joined the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the QMJHL in 2016-2017, still unsigned by the Canucks, and while he scored 50 points (18G, 32A) in 52GP, he left Canada four a two-year stay in Sweden, finding his place with Örebro HK in 2018-2019.
His 26 points (18G, 8A) in 45GP put him on the Panthers’ radar. Ābols led Örebro HK in goal-scoring during the regular season. Then, on May 28th, 2019, Ābols became a professional hockey player. He did not play for Florida, however. Instead, Ābols spent most of his time in the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds in 2019-2020.
You might have missed it, but Ābols began his journey in the Panthers’ pipeline with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in the ECHL. Geordie Kinnear, the head coach of the Thunderbirds, called Ābols the most improved player on Springfield that season. The ECHL served as a small adjustment period from the SHL. Ābols was in and out of the AHL lineup, totaling 23 points (7G, 16A) in 36GP, while Owen Tippett led in goal scoring (19).
Then, as quickly as Ābols first arrived in North America, he returned to the SHL with Örebro HK. He kept representing Latvia in the IIHF World Championships, eventually securing the bronze medal in 2022-2023 with his father, Artis, as an assistant coach. His final season with Örebro HK was his best in the SHL, tallying 41 points (19G, 22A) in 51GP as the team captain of a roster including Leo Carlsson and Elias Pettersson.
Last season, Ābols jumped to Rögle BK, leaving Örebro HK after five SHL seasons. Ābols experienced a significant dip in point production during the regular season, dropping from his career-best in the SHL to 26 points (14G, 12A). However, Ābols had his best SHL postseason. His 12 points (5G, 7A) in 15GP helped Rögle BK contend for the Le Mat Trophy, ultimately losing the series to Skellefteå AIK, 4-1.
Daniel Brière caught wind of Ābols, extending an offer to return to North America.
“It is, of course, sad that we lose a player like Rodrigo, but at the same time, we are happy for him. It is the nature of hockey that players want to go to North America, and we are giving him this chance.” – Hampus Sjöström; 6/15/2024
Next season, Ābols will dress with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He will compete for ice time against Massimo Rizzo, JR Avon, and Rhett Gardner.
