Raitis Ivanans, a 6-3, 263-pound native of Riga, Latvia, signed with the Calgary Flames. An enforcer of increasingly noteworthy status, Ivanans replaces enforcer Brian McGrattan in the lineup. Along with the acquisitions of grinders Ryan Stone and Tim Jackman, the Calgary Flames should have ample muscle to offset or match the physicality of division rivals Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks.
Raitis Ivanans Calgary Flames
Ivanans is a legitimate top ten NHL heavyweight, who can be an effective patrolman on the ice, and doesn’t fear or mind tangling with the Jody Shelleys of the game. He has tremendous size, which can overwhelm the opposition, as was the case October 12, 2009, when he essentially manhandled aspiring New York Islanders tough guy Joel Rechlicz.
In 2005-06, Ivanans made his NHL debut with Montreal, totaling zero points and nine penalty minutes in four games. His first three fights came in the 2005-2006 preseason, as a Canadien, against Francis Lessard, Nathan Perrott, and archrival Brian McGrattan. His first career NHL fight happened on October 11, 2005, as a Canadian, against mammoth Ottawa Senators defenseman Zdeno Chara. The second-period fight found the two huge combatants off-balance and quickly falling to the ice. As they dropped, however, Chara landed a solid shot to Ivanans’ face. When the linesmen separated the two behemoths, Chara stood up and blasted Ivanans another shot while he was still on his knees. A bloody Ivanans was ordered directly to the dressing room for repairs. It was reported afterwards that he had a few teeth knocked out and needed stitches under the left eye. He didn't return to the game.
Raitis Ivanans Hockey Fights
Ivanans first regular season scrap as a member of the Los Angeles Kings took place October 6, 2006 versus Todd Fedoruk of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. In January of 2008, the hefty left winger inked a two-year contract extension with the Kings. In each of his four consecutive years in Los Angeles, Ivanans led the club in penalty minutes (140, 134, 145, and 136, respectively).
On July 1, 2010, the enforcer signed a two-year deal as a free agent with the Calgary Flames. Heading into the 2010-2011 season, Raitis Ivanans has played in 280 regular season NHL games, collecting 12 goals, 6 assists, 18 total points, and 564 penalty minutes, including a career-high 145 in 2008-2009. In 2006-2007 and 2009-2010, Ivanans picked up a career-high 14 fighting majors. Calgary Flames fans hope he will exceed that total in 2010-2011.
Raitis Ivanans’ greatest rivals are George Parros (four fights), Jody Shelley (four fights), and Derek Boogaard, David Koci, Zack Stortini, and Georges Laraque, each of whom he has battled three times in his career.
Brian D'Ambrosio - Brian D'Ambrosio is the author of more than 500 published articles and seven books, including From Haikus to Hatmaking: A Year in the Life ...
