Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.chicagowolves.com
- Name: Arturs Kulda
- Position: D
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 194 lbs
- Birthdate: 1988-07-25
- Eligible for Draft: 2006
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Riga, Latvia
- Acquired: 7th round (200th overall), 2006
- Playing In: Pro
Arturs Kulda
Prospect Grade: 6.5 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2005-06: Kulda played in Russia for the CSKA Moscow second team, scoring five goals and 12 assists in 44 games. He missed some games midway through the season due to some visa problems, and also due to playing both for Latvia's U20 and U18 teams. With the U18 team, he had three points in five games, while with the U20 team he had one assist in six games. Kulda was selected by OHL league champion Peterborough Petes in the 2006 CHL Import Draft.
2006-07: Kulda moved across the pond to play for the Peterborough Petes. He posted 11 points in 58 games, third among defensemen in points. He improved his plus/minus as the year went on, finishing at -13, which was about average on the team. Peterborough did not qualify for the playoffs. Kulda played for Team Latvia in Division I of the 2007 WJC and had two points in five games.
2007-08: Played with with Peterborough in the OHL. Injured to start year, Kulda went on to almost triple his output from last year, in fewer games. He finished with 34 points in 55 games. Part of his increase could have been playing with current Thrasher Zach Bogosian, his defensive partner for much of the year. In five playoff games with the Petes scored 1 goal with 3 assists. Finished the season with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL - playing in five regular season games (1 assist) and in the Wolves' Calder Cup championship run. In 22 playoff games, he scored one goal with 5 assists. He also represented Latvia in the Division I Under-20 championships, scoring 1 goal with 4 assists in five games.
Feature from 2007 Thrashers prospect camp that includes an interview with Kulda.
2007-08 CHL review that includes interview with Kulda.
2008-09: Spent his first full season of pro hockey in North America with the Chicago Wolves. Kulda played 57 games for the Wolves, missing time early in the season due to an ankle injury. He scored one goal with 14 assists and had 59 PIM with a plus/minus of +7 on a disappointing Wolves team that failed to make the playoffs.
2009-10: Kulda established himself as a legitimate prospect in his second season with the Wolves. Playing alongside future Hall of Famer Chris Chelios, Kulda led all players in the AHL with a +47 plus/minus rating. His play for the Western Conference championship earned him his first NHL call-up; Kulpa appeared in four games with the Thrashers in which he had two assists. In 66 regular season games for Chicago, he scored 6 goals with 19 assists. In 14 playoff games for the Wolves he had one goal with 4 assists. Kulda also represented Latvia at the World Championships in Germany, appearing in three games.
2010-11: Without Chelios as his defense partner, Kulda was not nearly as effective at the AHL level. Having been penciled in to start the season with the Thrashers, Kulda was a late cut from training camp after free agent Freddie Meyer took his spot as the 7th dman. Kulda was again steady at the back for the Chicago Wolves but did nothing to advance his claim for an NHL spot.
Talent Analysis
Kulda is a physical defenseman who is solid defensively. He skates well and is usually in the right spot. Kulda has a heavy shot from the point which is valuable on the power play. He's a very willing hitter and makes a good outlet pass. Kulpa can make mistakes in coverage and can get a little messy with the puck. He also needs to work on the speed of the pro game.
Future
In the 2011 training camp with the Jets, Kulda was again a late cut and sent to the AHL. He should expect to be a callup candidate should injuries strike the parent club, however he may need to go elsewhere to secure a fulltime NHL job.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: October, 19th 2011
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