Former Rocket to carry flag at Olympic opening

A former Kelowna Rocket will carry Latvia’s flag at the opening ceremonies of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Lauris Darzins will share the honour with Latvian luger Eliza Tiruma

Darzins, who is the captain of the KHL’s Dinamo Riga, will also wear the ‘C’ for Latvia at the Olympics.

The 37-year-old forward played two seasons for the Rockets, between 2004 and 2006, helping Kelowna win a WHL title in 2005.

Drafted by the Nashville Predators in the ninth round at the 2003 NHL Draft, Darzins has gone on to play in Finland, the Czech Republic, Belarus and Russia.

He’s currently playing his 12th season with Dinamo, and this will be his third time representing Latvia at the Olympics.