Zemgus Girgensons is a Latvian professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "the Latvian Locomotive", he was selected 14th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Sabres. With this selection, Girgensons became the highest-drafted Latvian in NHL history, 16 spots higher than previous highest selection, Sandis Ozoliņš, in 1991. In the previous year, Girgensons was selected in the second round, 28th overall, in the 2011 KHL Junior Draft by CSKA Moscow. Girgensons was voted to the NHL All-Star Game in 2015.
Girgensons with the Buffalo Sabres in 2016
With the Sabres in 2013
The 2012 NHL Entry Draft was the 50th NHL Entry Draft. The draft was held June 22–23, 2012, at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was the first time that Pittsburgh hosted the draft since the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. The top three picks were Nail Yakupov going to the Edmonton Oilers, Ryan Murray going to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Alex Galchenyuk going to the Montreal Canadiens.
Jacob Trouba was selected ninth overall by the Winnipeg Jets.
Filip Forsberg was selected 11th overall by the Washington Capitals.
Oscar Dansk was selected 31st overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Teodors Blugers was selected 52nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.