Latvian Forward Sandis Vilmanis Concludes AHL Regular Season with Charlotte Checkers
Sandis Vilmanis, the Latvian professional ice hockey forward, completed his first full season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Charlotte Checkers in April 2024. The 23-year-old concluded the regular season having appeared in 62 games, recording 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points. His season was marked by periods of offensive contribution balanced with defensive responsibility, reflecting his development as a two-way player within the Checkers’ system.
Vilmanis, who was drafted 122nd overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, entered the 2023-24 AHL season aiming to establish himself as a reliable depth forward capable of contributing in all situations. Throughout the campaign, he was frequently deployed on the Checkers’ third and fourth lines, often tasked with penalty-killing duties and defensive zone coverage. His performance was monitored closely by Hurricanes’ player development staff as part of his progression toward a potential NHL call-up.
The conclusion of the AHL regular season on April 20, 2024, placed the Charlotte Checkers in a tight battle for playoff positioning in the North Division. Vilmanis played in the team’s final regular-season game against the Springfield Thunderbirds on April 19, logging 12:30 of ice time without recording a point. The Checkers ultimately finished the season with a 38-29-5 record, earning 81 points and securing the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division.
Season Overview and Role Evolution
Vilmanis began the 2023-24 season with a slow start, going pointless in his first five games before recording his first AHL point — an assist — on October 21, 2023, against the Laval Rocket. His first AHL goal came on November 10, 2023, in a 4-3 overtime win over the Hartford Wolf Pack. Over the course of the season, he experienced stretches of productivity, including a three-game point streak from January 12 to January 16, 2024, during which he recorded two goals and two assists.
Defensively, Vilmanis averaged 1.2 blocked shots and 0.8 takeaways per game, according to AHL official statistics. He ranked fourth on the Checkers in shorthanded time on ice per game among forwards, averaging 1:45 per contest. His ability to adapt to a defensive role was noted by Checkers head coach Geordie Kinnear in mid-season remarks, where he praised Vilmanis’ commitment to team structure.
Despite not reaching the offensive heights some projected based on his junior career in Latvia and North America, Vilmanis showed improvement in consistency and decision-making. His plus/minus rating finished at -5 for the season, reflecting the challenges faced by the Checkers’ depth lines in a competitive division.
Playoff Debut and Limited Impact
The Charlotte Checkers opened the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs on April 20, 2024, facing the first-place Hershey Bears in a best-of-five series. Vilmanis dressed for all three games in the series, averaging 10:15 of ice time per contest. He did not record a point in the playoff series, finishing with zero goals and zero assists as the Checkers were swept 3-0 by the eventual Calder Cup champions.
In Game 1 of the series, Vilmanis played 11:40 and registered two shots on goal. Game 2 saw him log 9:50 of ice time with one blocked shot. In Game 3, he was held to 10:15 of ice time and finished minus-two. While his offensive output was limited, the Checkers’ coaching staff indicated post-series that his defensive awareness and willingness to engage in board battles contributed to the team’s efforts against a high-powered Hershey offense.
The sweep marked the end of Vilmanis’ 2023-24 season. He finished with a combined regular season and playoff total of 12 goals, 18 assists, and 30 points in 65 games. His shooting percentage was 8.1%, and he averaged 13:20 of ice time per game across the regular season and playoffs.
Context Within Hurricanes Organization
Vilmanis’ season with the Checkers occurred amid a broader period of transition within the Carolina Hurricanes’ organization. The Hurricanes themselves qualified for the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing second in the Metropolitan Division with a 52-23-7 record. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the New York Rangers in six games.
Several Checkers teammates who played alongside Vilmanis during the season received NHL call-ups throughout 2023-24, including forwards Jackson Blake and Scott Morozzo, and defenseman Jesper Sellgren. Vilmanis himself did not receive an NHL recall during the season, a fact attributed by Hurricanes’ player development staff to the depth of forward talent within the organization and the need for continued AHL refinement.
According to Hurricanes General Manager Eric Tulsky, the organization views the AHL as a critical stage for players like Vilmanis to adapt to the North American game’s pace and physicality. In a March 2024 media availability, Tulsky emphasized that “progression isn’t always linear” and that “consistent professional habits at the AHL level are what ultimately earn opportunities.”
Looking Ahead to 2024-25 Season
As of May 2024, Vilmanis remains under contract with the Carolina Hurricanes through the 2024-25 season. His current deal, signed in March 2021, is a two-way NHL/AHL contract that pays him $775,000 at the NHL level and $75,000 in the AHL. The Hurricanes have not yet announced his specific assignment for the upcoming season, though it is expected he will return to the Checkers for another full AHL campaign unless injuries or performance warrant an earlier NHL opportunity.
Vilmanis participated in the Hurricanes’ 2024 development camp in July, held at the team’s practice facility in Raleigh, North Carolina. Reports from the camp indicated he worked on improving his skating stride and offensive creativity in small-area games. No official statements have been released regarding his status for the 2024-25 season, but the Hurricanes typically finalize their AHL roster assignments in late September prior to training camp.
The Latvian Ice Hockey Federation confirmed that Vilmanis is expected to represent Latvia at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, should he be selected and available. Latvia is scheduled to compete in Division I Group A of the tournament, with the event set for April 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Vilmanis has represented Latvia at multiple junior levels and made his senior debut in 2022.
For now, Vilmanis’ focus remains on refining his game during the offseason. His concluding the AHL regular season with the Checkers marks not an endpoint, but a step in a longer developmental journey shared by many young players aiming to establish themselves in the NHL.