Its almost Play-offs and teams have found their ideal line-ups. Probably that is the main reason why potential superstar Matiss "FINGERER" Kokins still is a free agent. But who is he? Are he another Latvian badass?

It was winter. It was normal winter, with snow. All prepaired to celebrate Millenium. But somwhere in Latvia Steel family was waiting. Waiting for newborn. And then it happened newborn child was born, but few hours before there were no signals that it will happen. As usualy mother and father was geting ready for New Year celebration. There was invited friends and family. Mother cooked, father decorated house. So nothing special.

Sudenly mother felt something, something strange. She quietly said to husband that looks like waters went down or I pissed in pants. Hasbund widened eyes and didnt know what to do, luckely next to them sat her mother and she told that its time to go to Maternity Hospital. With little stress she grabed bag which was prepaired already few days ago. Both dressed and went to car, meanwhile her mother explained situation and they could celebrate further and wait year 2000.

The next father wasnt nervouse, just little bit. He drove car little bit over speed limit, just 110 km/h, but speed limit out of towns in Latvia is 90 km/h. And then from somewhere showed up police officer, they probably had raid ( in Latvia when its big celebration, police are more often on streets to cach drunk drivers), and he stoped they. Police officer in usual manner, slowely went and he wasnt opened his mouth when husband shouted to him: "My wife has started childbirth!". Police officer was little bit shocked cause he starts to talk first, he turned his flashlight to back seats and told: "Follow me, I will escort you."

When they arrived at Maternity Hospital it was 23.00. Midwife made check up and prepaired everything for childborth. Everything happened fast and at 00:01 boy was born. Parents didnt thought for long and gave to new born name Matiss. Matiss was 53cm and 4kg

Matiss is oldest, he has younger brother who was a real splintter in ass. Matiss couldnt do anything without little brother. If he went swim with friend he had to take little brother also. Best part of beeing oldest was the respect from younger brother. He done almost everything what Matiss told and if he refused Matiss showed who is the boss.

At age 7, Matiss started to learn at Saldus Elementary School. He was oldest between 1st graders but in the same time shortest. In the begining Matiss very liked school, he was teachers pet. But then in 2nd semester he understud that as teachers pet he can start to be bully. Important only when teaceher looks to be nice and helpfull.

Matiss started to play hockey when he was almost 8 years. At school was day called "Find your talent", when pupils can check out all extracurricular activities at town. So Matiss met hockey. In beginning it was hard cause other guys had trained for 2 or 3 years. But Matiss didnt give up and progressed fast. Soon it wasnt possible to tell that he started when he was 8.

The biggest part of summer, when it was possible due to hockey trainings, Matiss and his brother spent in the countryside by grandma. There also was their cousins, so it wasnt boring. They tried out all mud pits, once broke the window pane with the ball. Time to time they also helped in farm works, when it was hay time, Matiss helped to gather hay.

When Matiss was 9 years old, he was one of the best players in local junior team. Usualy he played in defense, but sometimes coach let him also try out to be a winger, cause he got great passing skill. Also Matiss already then had good speed and skating.

And then came the puberty, hormons get crazy, first armpit hair and ofcourse problem called "parents dont understand me". So Matiss started to more hang out with friends (they all called it Gang), sometimes skiped some classes. Almost every weekend was some party, it wasnt important if he was invited. The Gang allways showed up, sometimes they just went to fight. But he never missed any hockey training.

Once in party Matiss got his nickname Fingerer. In party he was so drunk that he couldnt tell who are friends from Gang and who arent. So he saw a "nice" girl and thought: "what a nice booty, i could finger her". But unfortunately he said it loud, so in next day he was called Fingerer.

In this stormy puberty Matiss did not leave hockey, now he had already realized that his life will be devoted to professional hockey. At local hockey team he had become the leader of the team, team members listened to him on the field and also beyond. Now he was 100% defender, but sometimes helped also in attack. Matiss had phenomenal flair about the right moment to lie down to block shots.

After Matiss graduated elementary school, he went to learn to Sergei Zholtok high school. Coach of the school hockey team was happy to see Matiss in his roster, coach previously had seen what can Matiss on field. The beggining was harder, again. The

inner competition was huge. There was 4 guys for one spot in the main team and all wanted the same. Matiss fought his place in main team, but it was only in 4th line. With hard work and good play Matiss showed to coach that he belongs in 1st line, it took two months. Matiss almost never had a free time. When he was off the ice, Matiss prepaired lessons for next day. But when he had some free time, he met friends.

After first school year hockey team was invited to tournament in USA, where met strongest school hockey teams in world. To get there Matiss with team had to go through qualification round. It was first time abroad, Matiss had never traveled further than Latvia. But like all young hockey players dreamed about USA and SHL. He cheered for Latvian players, but except one - traitor Aumeisters.

Tournament was hard, Matiss never had such load - one game per day, and so on for week. They didnt won the tournament, they finished in 4th place, but still happy. After tournament Matiss was included in All - star team as best defender. He made few shots and didnt assist much, but was in right place in the right time. He did the dirty job - blocked shots, cleared front of goal so keeper can see puck and so on.

And then came the big oppurtunitie to get in the SHL system. Matiss met Andris Bukšs, Texas Renegades and Team Latvia defender. He was attending few games and saw big potential in Matiss. So he helped the new riseing star, organised some meetings with nesecery people and Matiss has been added in draft list.