Washington Capitals prospect Eriks Mateiko will miss the rest of his rookie season with the Hershey Bears and will not participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics with Latvia.
Mateiko took a skate blade to his right leg during the second period of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Monsters and was rushed off the ice. The forward did not return to the game.
“Hershey Bears forward Eriks Mateiko underwent a surgical procedure to repair his right Achilles tendon yesterday afternoon following a skate blade laceration during Sunday’s game in Hershey,” the Bears wrote on social media Tuesday night. “Based on the nature of the procedure, Mateiko will miss the remainder of the season.”
Mateiko’s injury will also keep him out of the 2026 Winter Olympics with Latvia. Latvia’s national team announced the news on X, Monday.
“Ēriks Mateiko will not participate in the Olympic Games due to an injury,” the team wrote as translated by X. “We wish him a successful recovery process. 🙏”
Mateiko ends his rookie season with the Bears with six points (1g, 5a) in 27 games.
From everyone at RMNB, we wish Eriks the best during this difficult time.
