
The biggest question facing every WNBA team in training camp
WNBA training camps open with key questions for each team.
Sandis Vilmanis made history by scoring four goals in a single game for the Charlotte Checkers, leading them to a 6-1 victory over the Hershey Bears. This achievement marks him as the first player in Checkers history to accomplish this feat.
One of the top prospects working their way up the pipeline of the Florida Panthers organization made a little history on Sunday.
Forward Sandis Vilmanis scored not one, not twoâŠbut four times for the Charlotte Checkers, Floridaâs AHL affiliate, during their 6-1 victory over the Hershey Bears at Bojangles Coliseum.
âEspecially in your building and being a pro now in your second year, itâs just amazing to score more goals than one,â Vilmanis told local Charlotte media after the game.
Florida selected Vilmanis in the fifth round, 157th overall, at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
He is the first player in Checkers team history to score four goals in one game.
âHeâs been a great player and a great story,â said Charlotte Head Coach Geordie Kinnear. âHe has a true love for the game, and when someone has a true love for the game and works at it, the sky is the limit.â
Itâs been quite a year for Vilmanis.
Playing in his second pro season, the young Latvian represented his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics back in February.
He also made his NHL debut in January, racking up his first 19 games in the National while chipping in three goals and two assists with the Panthers.
Interestingly, this isnât Vilmanisâ first four-goal game since making the move to North America.
He scored four times while playing for the OHLâs North Bay Battalion back in 2024 as well.
Still just 22 years old, Vilmanis has opened quite a few eyes during his first two pro campaigns.
He's earned the trust of his coaching staff, who continue to use him in high-leverage situations and send him on the ice with some of the toughest defensive assignments.
Humble and hard-working, Vilmanis will be viewed as someone who could potentially make Floridaâs NHL roster out of training camp next season.
For now, he can enjoy making some Charlotte history while helping prepare the Checkers for what they hope is another long playoff run.
âOf course I canât say that I did it by myself because none of the work is by myself,â Vilmanis said Sunday. âThanks to my teammates, who helped me to score those goals here.â
LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA
Panthers Beat Toronto 6-2 In Final Road Game Of Season, Hurting Cats' Lottery Odds
The Importance Of Tonight's Panthers, Maple Leafs Matchup Is Different This Time Around
Panthers Visit Maple Leafs In Matchup Holding Deep Draft Lottery Implications
Sam Bennett Named Panthers' 2025-26 King Clancy Memorial Trophy Nominee
Shorthanded Panthers Struggle Against Playoff-Hungry Senators, Lose 5-1 In Ottawa
Sandis Vilmanis scored four goals in his recent game for the Charlotte Checkers.
He became the first player in Charlotte Checkers history to score four goals in a single game.
Sandis Vilmanis was drafted in the fifth round, 157th overall, by the Florida Panthers in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

WNBA training camps open with key questions for each team.

Check out the top 10 plays from Victor Wembanyama's record-setting season!

NBA 2026 Awards: Key Ballot Insights from Bontemps

10 NFL draft prospects to watch for fantasy football this year!

Get ready for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs with our mega-preview of all 16 teams!

Spring football games feature 23 Power 4 matchups this weekend, with the ACC hosting eight and the SEC seven. Notable teams include Virginia Tech under new coach James Franklin and Michigan led by Kyle Whittingham.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.