Zemgus Girgensons Siblings: Getting to Know Annija Girgensone
Zemgus Girgensons PHOTO/Getty Images
Zemgus Girgensons is a Latvian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward, primarily at center, in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Known for his two-way play, work ethic, physicality, and versatility, Girgensons has carved out a solid NHL career as a reliable depth forward and penalty killer.
He was selected 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the highest-drafted Latvian-born player in NHL history at the time.
After spending over a decade with the Sabres, he signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning as a free agent in 2024 and continues to contribute there.
Girgensons has also represented Latvia on the international stage, including at World Championships and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Siblings
Zemgus has one older sister named Annija Girgensone.
Growing up in a modest apartment in Riga, he shared a room with her during his childhood alongside their parents and grandparents.
Their father, Aldis Girgensons, was a professional defenseman who influenced both children through his own playing background and later coaching and managerial roles.
Career
Girgensons began his hockey journey in Latvia at the EVHS hockey school in Riga, coached by former Dinamo Riga player Edmunds Vasiļjevs.
As a teenager, he moved to North America to pursue better development opportunities, playing junior hockey with the Green Mountain Glades in the Eastern Junior Hockey League and then starring for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League (USHL).
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In 2011-12, he led Dubuque in scoring and helped the team win the Clark Cup championship, earning selection to the USHL First All-Star Team.
Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, Girgensons made his professional debut with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League before joining the NHL in the 2013-14 season.
He quickly established himself as a versatile forward capable of contributing offensively while excelling defensively.
Over 10 seasons with Buffalo, he appeared in more than 600 games, becoming the longest-tenured player on the roster at one point and earning a reputation for consistency during a rebuilding era that saw limited playoff success.
In 2015, he captured national attention by winning the fan vote for the NHL All-Star Game with over 1.5 million votes, largely driven by support from Latvia.
After his time in Buffalo ended, Girgensons signed a three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning in July 2024, adding depth and leadership to their forward group.
He has continued to play a reliable role, contributing in all situations while adapting to new teammates.
Internationally, Girgensons has been a mainstay for Latvia, participating in multiple IIHF World Championships and earning selection to the Latvian roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.
Accolades
In the USHL, he was named to the All-Star Game in 2011, helped win the Clark Cup championship that same year, and earned a spot on the First All-Star Team in 2012.
He received Latvia’s Rising Star of the Year Award in 2013.
His most prominent NHL accolade came in 2015 when he was selected to the NHL All-Star Game after leading all players in fan voting.
While he has not won a Stanley Cup or earned regular All-Star berths beyond that fan-driven appearance, Girgensons has been praised for his intangibles, including strong penalty-killing and faceoff work.
He has also earned consistent call-ups to Latvia’s national team.