Latvian Eriks Ozollapa is the Invicta Dynamos’ new number 9 after the free scoring forward signed on the line.

He has agreed a move to Kent following stints in America, Belarus, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and his home nation.

28 year old Ozollapa originally hails from Latvia’s capital city of Riga but the prolific forward is well travelled having gone on to enjoy spells both across the pond and in Europe having first left his home nation back in 2005/06.

Aged just 19 the skater began his journey in the United States in the North American Hockey League – one of the country’s top junior levels – before switching to the the Central States Hockey League shortly after.

It was here that he impressed during 2007/08 with the Quad City Junior Flames by scoring 37 times and playing a role in 32 more for 69 points in just 45 outings. The following term Ozollapa then attended the Robert Morris University of Illinois and iced for the hockey team in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League – a top tier conference of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

Appearing for his uni side, nicknamed the Eagles, the Latvian claimed 80 points over two seasons – a tally made up of 44 goals and 36 assists in 72 fixtures for the Illinois outfit.

In 2010/11 Ozollapa briefly returned home to Latvia before a mid-season move to Hamburger SV of Germany’s third tier and a later switch to EHC Basel in Switzerland. By the following year he was more settled managing 37 points in 24 games for HK Zemgale of Latvia’s top division and 22 during 9 outings for Adendorfer EC back in Germany come the close of the campaign.

Adendorfer retained his services for 2012/13 and he repaid them with 68 points from 30 games across both the regular and post season in the country’s third level of hockey. He then returned to his home nation for 2013/14 but left Germany having made 60 appearances in the country, notching 71 goals and claiming 69 assists for an impressive 140 points.

Back in Latvia’s top division, Ozollapa pulled on the jersey of HK Ozolnieki/Monarch during 2013/14 before last season took him to Norway and the Tønsberg Vikings of the Norwegian Second Division.

Here he became a fan favourite and continued his good form in front of goal with 24 strikes and 20 assists in 36 appearances – a tally of 44 points that helped the Vikings to their first league title in three seasons.

Now he will add the UK to his already impressive C.V. as he pens a deal with the Invicta Dynamos to make his name in the NIHL South Division 1.

Speaking on the arrival of Eriks Ozollapa, Head Coach Kevin Parrish said, “I’m delighted Eriks has agreed to join the Dynamos and look forward to working with him over 2015/16.”

“At 28 he has not only played across Europe and in America but also put up good numbers wherever he has been and there’s no doubt he has the quality to make his mark in the NIHL.”

“Eriks is predominantly a goalscorer but he isn’t afraid to get stuck in and arrives in the UK with a great reputation.”

“Having already played in numerous countries at various levels it shouldn’t take him long to settle at the Mos and I’m sure the fans will like what they see when Eriks finds his feet in Gillingham.”

“He has talent, experience and is determined to make his name in Kent and I look forward to having him on the roster for 2015/16”.