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Oskars BartulisLatvian hockey player, defender
Date of Birth: 21.01.1987
Country:  Latvia |
Content:
- Early Career and North America
- NHL Debut and KHL Stint
- Return to Russia and Russian Citizenship
- International Career
Early Career and North America
Kristaps Zile was born in Riga, Latvia, and began his hockey career with local clubs Prizma and Vilki. In 2003-04, he briefly played in Russia for CSKA Moscow. He then moved to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), representing the Moncton Wildcats (2004-06) and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (2006-07).
In 2005, Zile was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL with the 91st overall pick. He spent the next two seasons with the Flyers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms (2007-09).
NHL Debut and KHL Stint
Zile made his NHL debut in 2009-10, splitting time between the Flyers and their new AHL affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms. In 2012, he signed with Donetsk, Ukraine's Donbass in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He later played for Barys Astana (2014-15) and Admiral Vladivostok (2015-17).
Return to Russia and Russian Citizenship
In late 2017, Zile joined Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL. In 2018, he became a Russian citizen.
International Career
Zile represented Latvia in multiple international tournaments:Junior World Championships (First Division): 2003, 2004
World Youth Championships (First Division): 2004, 2005, 2007
World Youth Championships: 2006
World Championships: 2005, 2009
Olympic Games: 2010
