Thursday, July 4, 2013

CHL completes 2013 Import Draft

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the final results of the 2013 CHL Import Draft.

The 22nd annual CHL Import Draft included a total of 78 players selected from 12 different countries led by 22 players from Russia and consisting of a total of 52 forwards, 25 defencemen, and one goaltender.

The two-round draft took place online with the order of selection rotating through each of the CHL’s three leagues using an inverse order of final regular season standings within each league from the 2012-13 season.

The Vancouver Giants used the first overall pick to acquire 17-year-old Russian defenceman Dmitri Osipov.  The 6’1’’, 179lb, blueliner was born January 1, 1996, and is eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft.  The next two picks in the draft were also 2014 NHL Draft prospects including Finnish defenceman Alex Lintuniemi chosen second overall by the Ottawa 67’s, and Russian forward Maxim Lazarev selected third overall by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.  Lintuniemi was born September 23, 1995, and represented Finland at the 2013 IIHF World Under-18 Championship where he won a bronze medal, while Lazarev was born January 29, 1996, and earned silver medal with Russia at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

The 2013 Import Draft featured eight players who have been selected in the NHL Draft including Washington Capitals first round pick, 23rd overall, Andre Burakovsky chosen fifth overall by the Erie Otters.  A pair of second round picks in 2013 were also selected by CHL clubs including Montreal Canadiens prospect Jacob De La Rose who was picked 11th overall by the Windsor Spitfires, and fellow Canadiens prospect Artturi Lehkonen chosen by the Kootenay Ice in the 85th slot.  Four fifth round NHL picks were also selected including Dallas Stars prospect Matej Paulovic chosen eighth overall by the Peterborough Petes, New York Islanders prospect Victor Crus-Rydberg chosen 41st overall by the Plymouth Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fabrice Herzog chosen 42nd overall by the Quebec Remparts, and Vancouver Canucks prospect Anton Cederholm chosen 60th overall by the Portland Winterhawks.  Additionally, one player selected in the 2012 NHL Draft was picked in the 2013 CHL Import Draft including Dimitry Sinitsyn, a seventh round Dallas Stars prospect, chosen 16th overall by the Regina Pats.

A total of 43 players selected are eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft, while four players selected are not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2015.

Each team in the CHL is permitted to dress and play a maximum of two import players each season who are selected annually through the CHL Import Draft.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RESULTS OF THE 2013 CHL IMPORT DRAFT

2013 CHL Import Draft Summary:

Draft Picks by Position:
Forward – 52
Defence – 25
Goaltender – 1

Draft Picks by Country:
Russia – 22
Czech Republic – 12
Switzerland - 10
Slovakia – 8
Sweden - 7
Finland – 6
Germany - 5
Belarus – 2
Denmark – 2
Latvia - 2
Austria – 1
Norway - 1

Draft Picks by Birthdate and NHL Status:
1996-born and 2014 NHL Draft eligible – 30
1996-born late and 2015 NHL Draft eligible – 4
1995-born late and 2014 NHL Draft eligible - 13
1995-born and 2013 NHL Drafted – 5
1995-born and Undrafted - 19
1994-born and 2013 NHL Drafted - 2
1994-born and 2012 NHL Drafted – 1
1994-born and NHL Undrafted – 4

Last season the Moncton Wildcats used the first overall pick to select Russian native Ivan Barbashev who scored 62 points in 68 games and is eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft.  Fellow 2014 NHL Draft prospect Leon Draisaitl of Germany scored 58 points in 64 games for the Prince Albert Raiders after being selected second overall in the Import Draft, while Columbus Blue Jackets goaltending prospect Oscar Dansk of Sweden was chosen third overall by the Erie Otters and played in 43 games between the pipes last season.

A total of 11 CHL players acquired through the Import Draft were recently selected in the 2013 NHL Draft including first round picks Russian defenceman Nikita Zadorov of the London Knights chosen 16th overall by the Buffalo Sabres, and Swiss defenceman Mirco Mueller of the Everett Silvertips chosen 18th overall by the San Jose Sharks.  Russian forward and CHL Rookie of the Year Valentin Zykov of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar was also picked in last year’s CHL Import Draft and was a second round pick of the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday June 30 in New Jersey.


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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