The Washington Capitals selected Eriks Mateiko with their second, third-round draft selection in the 2024 NHL Draft (90th overall).
Mateiko is a massive, six-foot-five-inch, 216-pound Latvian winger from the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs. He is the first Latvian-born player to ever be drafted by the Capitals.
With the 90th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals are proud to select Eriks Mateiko! #CapsDraft | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/sEvK7ItofZ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 29, 2024
Mateiko has spent the past two seasons with the Sea Dogs in the QMJHL after coming over from Latvia. The big winger recorded 43 points (23g, 20a) in 49 games last year. He led the Sea Dogs in goals and finished second in points.
He was also one of Saint John’s alternate captains. His nickname, given to him by the team’s coaching staff, is “Moose.”
The Jelgava, Latvia native also played for his country at the U20 World Junior Championship, scoring one goal in five games. He is Latvia’s highest draft pick since the 2015 draft when the Toronto Maple Leafs took Martins Dzierkals with the 68th overall selection.
