The CBR Brave are pleased to announce the signing of tenacious forward Ainars Podzins from the Edinburgh Capitals of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).

Hailing from Jurmala, Latvia, Podzins qualified and played under-16, under-17 and under-18 for Russia and has earned a reputation for his work ethic, determination and his wicked shot.

Podzins has spent the majority of his career in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Supreme Hockey League (VHL) and Supreme Hockey League Championship (Russia3) where he has averaged 0.23 points per game over 240 games. Podzins has also recently spent time with Metallurg Novokuznetsk (VHL, 2017-18), Kitzbüheler EC (AlpsHL, 2016-17), Sokol Krasnoyarsk (VHL, 2015-16) and HK Riga (MHL, 2010-13)

He has most recently played with the Edinburgh Capitals where he played in 32 games and posted 12 goals and 8 assists for an average of 0.63 points per game.

Podzins initially joined the Edinburgh Capitals on trial, but was quick to impress the Capitals coaching staff and showed versatility by playing both Centre and Left Wing. It was his versatility and tenacity that enabled him stay with the club for the remainder of the EIHL season.