The 2015 NHL Entry Draft is in the books and development camps are underway across the league, leaving team personnel to access players’ readiness and development paths over the next few years. Most 2015 drafted prospects will return to their junior or development leagues to work on improving their games and maturing into their bodies but it is a crucial time for decisions to be made on a lot of the selected Euro skaters.
Just a few short days from wrapping the draft up in Sunrise, Florida, the Canadian Hockey League’s 24th annual Import Draft is slated to take place at 11 am Tuesday, June 30th as sixty teams from the Atlantic to the Pacific restock their import roster spots. The two-round draft will take 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 2014-15 season. The QMJHL’s Acadie-Bathurst Titan hold the number one pick, followed by the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades at number two, and the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves who will select third overall. 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.
A total of 14 players were selected at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft who were acquired through the CHL Import Draft. Sarnia Sting forward Pavel Zacha, selected 1st overall at the 2014 Import Draft, was taken by the New Jersey Devils 6th overall. Ivan Provorov of the Brandon Wheat Kings donned a Philadelphia Flyers jersey when the 7th selection came due. Hailfax’s Timo Meier is the latest San Jose Sharks prospect after being selected 9th overall and the Detroit Red Wings scooped up Cape Breton’s import forward Evgeny Svechnikov 19th overall.
At the 2014 CHL import Draft, a total of 71 skaters were selected from 12 different countries led by 25 Russians.
Let’s take a look at some potential targets for the 2015 CHL Import Draft.
The 98s…
Dmitri Sokolov, F, Russia – After a coming out party at the 2014 World U17 Championships in Sarnia this past fall, Sokolov established himself as a top import target showcasing a heavy shot and some silky playmaking abilities. He’s not the smoothest or swiftest skater around but his other tools make him a potential top pick. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Vitali Abramov, F, Russia –Strong possession player who’s capable of dictating the pace of play under pressure. Abramov is a good skater who uses changes in gears to keep defenders uneasy. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Alexander Nylander, RW/LW, Sweden – Younger brother of Maple Leafs prospect William Nylander, Alexander Nylander plays the game in a similar mold showcasing high-end skill and dazzling puck handling ability. He’s a top prospect for the 2016 NHL Draft and although him coming to North American would be exciting, he already has pro experience and will likely return to play in Sweden. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Tarmo Reunanen, D, Finland – Poised defender with elite level vision, Reumanen projects as a defender who can kick-start the rush with clean crisp no-look passes. He shows good mobility but there’s some cleaning up to do in that department. It’s his puck handling ability, strong vision and puck distribution skills that make him a top target. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
William Fallstrom, C/LW, Sweden – High character player who oozes leadership qualities, Fallström showed clutch scoring abilities at the U17s snapping home four goals to lead his team. He combines strong hockey sense and a hearty work ethic to go along with above-average skill. Projects very well to the North American game.
Linus Weissbach, LW/RW, Sweden – Proved to be a strong support player for Team Sweden at the U17s showcasing elusive attacking abilities, using jukes and jives. Weissbach owns blazing speed that he uses to attack on the outside. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Markus Niemelainen, D, Finland – Combines impressive size and strength with above-average mobility on the blueline. Niemelainen showed flashes similar to a young Rasmus Ristolainen at the U17s. He doesn’t make many errors and his ability to make opposing attackers work for ice is a testament to his defensive capacity. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Jacob Cederholm, D, Sweden – Brother to Vancouver Canucks prospect Anton Cedarholm, Jacob is also a defensive stalwart for Sweden. He’s a pillar on the backend using his strength and wingspan to shutdown opposing top attackers. With his plus mobility and attention to defensive details, he could be a high target at the draft. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Otto Somppi, F, Finland – A strong international competitor in his early career, Somppi understands the support game extremely well, finding teammates in prime scoring areas and working off of the cycle. He’s a tireless worker in all three zones and shows some crafty misdirection in his attacking game. He’s an impact player. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Jesper Bratt, F, Sweden – The Swedish sparkplug competes at only 5-foot-8 but his enthusiastic puck pursuit is overwhelming for opposing defenders. He’s a slashing style of skater who bolts in and out of traffic retrieving pucks but also displays good one-on-one abilities as well. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Mikhail Mesheryakov, F, Russia – An absolute buzzsaw forward who hunts down pucks like it was his only goal in life, Mersheryakov utilizes sharp cuts and stop-ups on the attack to elude pressure. He’s the type of player who thrives in the possession game never conceding the puck. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Janne Kuokkanen, C, Finland – Quick footed Finn pivot who drove the offensive attack for his nation at the U17s. Capable of holding onto the puck under pressure, Kuokkanen shows an ability to wait for soft spots to open and teammates to arrive. His competitive approach will certainly draw suitors. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Maxim Bain, LW/C, Russia – Clutch skater Maxim Bain really impressed as the U17 games became more important, adapting from his skill game to a puck-hungry-dog-on-fresh-meat when Russia desperately needed a goal. He’s not very big but he irritated his opposition with an unrelenting warrior-like battle mentality. His hard working game is flanked with some notable offensively skilled abilities as well. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Mikhail Sergachev, D, Russia – A defensive pillar for Russia, Sergachev is a defensively sound, minute-munching blue liner who identifies his options quickly on the breakout and transitions the puck up ice efficiently. 2016 NHL Draft eligible
Patrik Laine, RW, Finland – a 6-foot-4 power winger with Top 10 NHL Draft potential, Laine has been on the radar for quite some time. After a cameo appearance in Finland’s top professional league, it’s very doubtful he comes to the CHL but it’s a situation worth watching because he’d be one of the best.
Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Finland – A potential top 2016 NHL Draft pick, Puljujarvi has it all – size, strength, smarts and skills but also has options in his native land and is expected to star for Karpat.
Other Potential '98s to Watch:
Lias Andersson, C/LW, Sweden*
Nikita Baikov, RW, Russia
Matous Belohorsky, LW, Czech Republic
Gleb Bondaruk, F, Russia
Samuel Duggan, C/LW, Great Britain
Tobias Eder, RW, Germany
Carl Grundstrom, LW, Sweden*
Robert Havlat, RW, Czech Republic
Artem Ivanyuzhernkov, LW, Russia
Nikita Ivanov, F, Russia
Juha Jaaska, LW, Finland
Matyas Kantner, LW, Czech Republic
Vladislav Kara, C, Russia
Artur Kayumov, LW/RW, Russia
Paavo Kilponen, F, Finland
Oula Kuure, F, Finland
Vladimir Kuznetskov, LW, Russia
Linus Lindstrom, C, Sweden*
Otto Mäkinen, LW, Finland
Pete Niemi, LF, Finland*
Markus Nurmi, RF, Finland*
Emil Oksanen, RW, Finland*
Alexei Polodyan, F, Russia
Nikita O. Popugayev, F, Russia*
German Rubtkov, LW, Russia*
Mikhail Shabanov, F, Russia*
Artturi Toivola, C, Finland
Tim Wahlgren, C, Sweden*
Dmitri Alexeyev, D, Russia
Alexander Andersson, D, Sweden*
Vojtech Budik, D, Czech Republic
Hugo Danielsson, D, Sweden
Lukas Durkech, D, Slovakia
Oliver Felixson, D, Finland
Libor Hajek, D, Czech Republic
Olli Juolevi, D, Finland
Jakub Lacka, F, Slovakia
Nikita Makeyev, D, Russia
Alfons Malmström, D, Sweden
Jacob Moverare, D, Sweden
Linus Nässén, D, Sweden
Daniil Veryayev, D, Russia
Yegor Zaitsev, D, Russia
*Indicates players who competed in the U17 WHC
The 96s…
Alexander Lambacher, RW, Italy
Frank Gymer, C, Finland
Daniel Muzito Bagenda, LW, Sweden
Kirill Piilipenko, RW, Russia
Calvin Thurkauf, C, Switzerland
Lukas Vopelka, C, Czech Republic
Lucas Ekestahl Jonsson, D, Sweden
Nikko Mikkola, D, Finland
The 97s…
Denis Alexeyev, C, Russia
Rasmus Asplund, C/LW, Sweden
Jonathan Dahlén, C/LW, Sweden
Einar Emanuelsson, RW, Sweden
Fabian Haberstich, LW, Switzerland
Timo Haussener, C, Switzerland
Roger Karrer, D, Switzerland
Auguste Impose, LW, Switzerland
Julian Napravnik, LW, Germany
Damien Riat, C, Switzerland
Lukas Ziak, F, Slovakia
Kristaps Zile, D, Latvia
The 2015 NHL Draftees…
Many of the following international names, particularly the top drafted prospects, will remain in their native leagues to compete professionally against men in the top divisions. A number of the following players remain under contract with their Euro clubs.
Mikko Rantanen, RW – Colorado Avalanche, 10th overall
Denis Gurianov, RW/LW – Dallas Stars, 12th overall
Joel Eriksson Ek, C – Minnesota Wild, 20th overall
Jacob Larsson, D – Anaheim Ducks, 27th overall
Gabriel Carlsson, D – Columbus Blue Jackets, 29th overall
Since the above players were drafted in the first round, CHL teams could temporarily carry three imports on their roster under their 2015-16 fates were decided.
Sebastian Aho, LW – Carolina Hurricanes, 35th overall
Erik Cernak, D – Los Angeles Kings, 43rd overall
Roope Hintz, LW – Dallas Stars, 49th overall
Jonas Siegenthaler, D – Washington Capitals, 52nd overall
Kevin Stenlund, C – Columbus Blue Jackets, 58th overall
Julius Nattinen, C – Anaheim Ducks, 60th overall
Oliver Kylington, D – Calgary Flames, 61st overall
3rd Round and Onwards...
Robin Kovancs, LW – Rangers
Martin Dzierkals, LW – Maple Leafs
Vili Saarijarvi, D – Red Wings
Alexander Dergachev, C – Kings
Sergei Zborovsky, D – Rangers
Jens Looke, RW – Coyotes
Lukas Vejdemo, C – Canadiens
Aleksi Saarela, C/LW – Rangers
Jesper Lindgren, D – Maple Leafs
Andrei Mironov, D – Avalanche
Denis Malgin, C – Panthers
Mikhail Vorobyov , C – Flyers
Michael Spacek, C – Jets
Filip Ahl, LW – Senators
Dmitri Zhukenov, C – Canucks
Jonne Tammela, RW – Lightning
Daniel Bernhardt, LW – Rangers
Niko Mikkola, D – Blues
David Kase, C – Flyers
Karlis Cukste, D – Sharks
Kirill Kaprizov, LW – Wild
Dominik Simon, C – Penguins
Christian Jaros, D – Senators
Veeti Vanio, D – Blue Jackets
Rudolfs Balcers, LW – Sharks
Radovan Bondra, LW – Blackhawks
Vladislav Gavrikov, D – Blue Jackets
Sergei Boikov, D – Avalanche
Andong Song, D/F – Islanders
Lukas Jasek, RW – Canucks
Joni Tuulola, D – Blackhawks
Markus Nutivaara, D – Blue Jackets
Gustav Olhaver, C/LW – Avalanche
Nikita Pavlychev, C – Penguins
Sami Niku, D – Jets
Petter Hansson, D – Islanders
Ziyat Paigin, D - Oilers
John Dahlstrom, LW - Blackhawks
This slew of names is not an exhaustive list but rather a list of players who’ve been impressive in viewings or have been mentioned around the rinks as notable players of their age group. The CHL Import Draft always unveils players that the North American circuit has never heard of so expect the unexpected.
Follow the draft on the Canadian Hockey League’s website