Lightning goalie Kristers Gudlevskis makes history with his first NHL start

Kristers Gudlevskis has played in the ECHL, AHL, NHL and Olympics, all in the same season. (Scott Audette/Getty Images) By Darian Somers Kristers Gudlevskis

Kristers Gudlevskis has played in the ECHL, AHL, NHL and Olympics, all in the same season. (Scott Audette/Getty Images)

By Darian Somers 

Kristers Gudlevskis is making history with his start in a Tampa Bay Lightning jersey tonight.

He is the first goalie to play in the ECHL, AHL, NHL and Olympics all in the same season, completing the feat in game No. 81 for the Bolts.

Taken in the 2013 NHL draft in the fifth round, Gudlevskis began the season with the ECHL's Florida Everblades, winning seven of his eleven games played with a 1.83 goals against average. After that, Gudlevskis played in 34 games with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, going 18-11-4, including five shutouts.

His Olympic experience came when he nearly helped Latvia beat Canada in the first round of elimination play. In a 2-1 loss, Gudlevskis held Canada at bay for much of the game, making a total of 55 saves in the loss, and somewhat gaining him stardom in Lativa.

Ben Bishop