Latvian Center Rodrigo Ābols Set for NHL Debut with Flyers

VOORHEES, N.J. — Rodrigo Ābols, a 29-year-old Latvian center, is set to make his NHL debut Tuesday night when the Philadelphia Flyers host the Detroit Red Wings at the Wells Fargo Center. Ābols was called up from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL) after Flyers assistant general manager Alyn McCauley reached out to him Sunday morning.

“It was one way to make an off day even better,” Ābols said about the call. His promotion comes as Ryan Poehling was placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury and a family matter.

Ābols, who was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL Draft, has spent the last four seasons playing overseas in Sweden. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Flyers last June, determined to give North American hockey another shot. “I didn’t want to let this opportunity slip,” Ābols said. “When I’m done with hockey, I’m glad at least I came here and gave it another shot.”

In 34 games with the Phantoms this season, Ābols recorded nine goals and 10 assists. His recent form, including five goals and four assists in his last 16 games, earned him the call-up. Flyers head coach John Tortorella praised his performance, saying, “He’s a center, and I guess he has been playing some pretty good hockey there.”

Ābols will center the Flyers’ fourth line, flanked by Garnet Hathaway and Olle Lycksell, a teammate from his time in Sweden. Lycksell, who was also recalled from the Phantoms, noted Ābols’ adaptability, saying, “He’s big, good with the puck, and has a really good two-way game.”

Born in Riga, Latvia, Ābols grew up watching his father, Artis, play professionally in Sweden. He learned Swedish through cartoons and later picked up Russian in school. His multilingual skills — he speaks Latvian, English, Swedish, and Russian — have helped him connect with teammates. “This group and this room has been praised a lot of times,” Ābols said. “It’s very easy to fit in here.”

Ābols’ family will be watching his debut from afar, with his grandmother staying up past 2 a.m. in Latvia to tune in. His wife and 3-year-old son, who recently visited the Flyers team store for gear, will be in attendance at the Wells Fargo Center. “It will be fun, obviously, to share that moment with them,” Ābols said.

For Ābols, the journey to the NHL has been long and winding. After his rights expired with the Canucks, he played in the AHL and Europe, including stints with Örebro and Rögle BK in Sweden, where he tallied 163 points in 266 games. Now, he’s ready to seize his moment. “It’s a dream come true to get an opportunity to play here,” Ābols said. “Try to make the most of it and use the strengths I have and see what happens from there.”