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Raitis IvanansLatvian hockey player, left winger. Spent 6 seasons in the NHL.
Date of Birth: 03.01.1979
Country:  Latvia |
Content:
- Early Life and Debut in the NHL
- Stints with the Los Angeles Kings
- Move to Calgary and Health Issues
- Return to Latvia and Current Status
Early Life and Debut in the NHL
Artūrs Irbe is a Latvian ice hockey left winger who played 6 seasons in the NHL. He is currently playing for Dinamo Riga in the KHL. Irbe is known for his tough play and often takes on the role of an enforcer.
Irbe made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens in 2005. In his first 4 games, he earned 9 penalty minutes, including a fight in his very first game against Ottawa Senators player Zdeno Chara. As a result of the fight, he suffered a broken cheekbone.
Stints with the Los Angeles Kings
On July 13, 2006, Irbe signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings. He scored his first NHL goal on October 12, 2006, against the Dallas Stars. On March 18, 2007, he signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Kings. On January 29, 2008, he extended his contract with the Kings for two more years. In all four seasons with the Kings, Irbe led the team in penalty minutes.
Move to Calgary and Health Issues
On July 1, 2010, Irbe signed a two-year contract with the Calgary Flames. He made his Flames debut in the first game of the season against the Edmonton Oilers on October 7 of that year. In the third period of the game, he suffered a concussion in a fight with Steve MacIntyre and missed the rest of the season.
Return to Latvia and Current Status
On May 22, 2012, Irbe signed a 2-year contract with Dinamo Riga in the KHL. He has been playing for the team ever since and is known for his physical style of play and his leadership on the ice.
