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2017 CHL Import Draft Results

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 18:41:48 +0000

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the final results of the 2017 CHL Import Draft. The 26th annual CHL Import Draft included a total of 72 players consisting of 50 forwards and 22 defencemen selected from 11 different countries featuring a draft-high 19 players from Russia. 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 2016-17 season. The Barrie Colts used the first overall pick to acquire Russian forward Andrei Svechnikov, a 2018 NHL Draft prospect who recently earned bronze at the 2017 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. His international hockey success this season also included a MVP performance at the World Junior A Challenge, and a bronze medal at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he led the tournament in points. The Moncton Wildcats used the second overall pick to select fellow Russian forward and 2018 NHL Draft prospect Alexander Khovanov who was an Under-17 teammate of Svechnikov capturing bronze in Sault Ste. Marie last November. At third overall the Kootenay ICE selected Switzerland’s Gilian Kohler, a forward also eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft. CLICK HERE TO SEE 2017 CHL IMPORT DRAFT ORDER AND RESULTS The 2017 CHL Import Draft featured 11 players previously selected by NHL teams in 2016 and 2017 drafts. Of that group, five players were selected in the first two rounds this past weekend in Chicago including first round picks Martin Necas (12th, Carolina) chosen 10th overall by the Saginaw Spirit, Timothy Liljegren (17th, Toronto) chosen 13th overall by the Niagara IceDogs, and Filip Chytil (21st, New York Rangers) chosen seventh overall by the North Bay Battalion. 2017 second round NHL Draft picks selected in the Import Draft include Alexandre Texier (45th, Columbus) taken 17th overall by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, and Joni Ikonen (58th, Montreal) chosen 28th overall by the Hamilton Bulldogs. A total of 37 players selected in the 2017 CHL Import Draft are first-year eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft, while four players selected are not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2019. 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. 2017 CHL Import Draft Summary: Draft Picks by Position: Forward – 50 Defence – 22 Draft Picks by Country: Russia – 19 Czech Republic – 15 Sweden - 8 Slovakia - 7 Belarus – 6 Germany - 6 Finland – 4 Switzerland - 4 Denmark – 1 France – 1 Slovenia - 1 Draft picks by Birthdate and NHL Status: 2000-born late and 2019 NHL Draft eligible - 4 2000-born and 2018 NHL Draft eligible – 29 1999-born late and 2018 NHL Draft eligible – 8 1999-born and 2017 NHL Drafted – 8 1999-born early and NHL Undrafted – 15 1998-born and NHL Drafted – 3 1998-born and NHL Undrafted – 5 NHL Draft picks in CHL Import Draft: 4. Alexei Toropchenko (Guelph – 4th round to St. Louis in 2017) 7. Filip Chytil (North Bay – 1st round to NY Rangers in 2017) 10. Martin Necas (Saginaw – 1st round to Carolina in 2017) 13. Timothy Liljegren (Niagara – 1st round to Toronto in 2017) 17. Alexandre Texier (Baie-Comeau – 2nd round to Columbus in 2017) 28. Joni Ikonen (Hamilton – 2nd round to Montreal in 2017) 41. Jan Drozg (Shawinigan – 5th round to Pittsburgh in 2017) 45. Oleg Sosunov (Moose Jaw – 6th round to Tampa Bay in 2016) 49. Jesper Bratt (London – 6th round to New Jersey in 2016) 53. Ostap Safin (Saint John – 4th round to Edmonton in 2017) 119. Linus Nassen (Medicine Hat – 3rd round to Florida in 2016) A total of 15 players acquired through the CHL Import Draft were recently selected in the 2017 NHL Draft including New Jersey Devils first overall pick Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads. Other first round picks included Finnish defencemen Juuso Valimaki of the Tri-City Americans selected 16th overall by the Calgary Flames and Henri Jokiharju of the Portland Winterhawks selected 29th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. Last season a total of 79 players were selected from 11 different countries led by 24 players from Russia and consisting of 53 forwards and 26 defencemen.

Andrei Svechnikov Selected First Overall by Barrie Colts in 2017 CHL Import Draft

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 15:48:23 +0000

Barrie, ON – The Barrie Colts have announced that 17-year-old Russian forward Andrei Svechnikov of the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks is the first overall pick in the 2017 CHL Import Draft. The announcement was made at a news conference held today in Barrie where Svechnikov was introduced to local media. “The opportunity to have the first selection in the CHL Import Draft is especially exciting for us,” Colts GM Jason Ford said. “When you happen to be in the position to acquire a player of the caliber of Andrei, that changes the caliber of our whole team. We’re thrilled that Andrei chose to come to the OHL and the Barrie Colts. He will make a big impact this year”, added Ford. “Andrei is a very skilled hockey player. He’s a natural goal scorer and we’re fortunate to have player like that joining the team. He’s one of those players that make his teammates on the ice better. He fits perfectly into the role we need and expect from him,” said Colts Head Coach Dale Hawerchuk. “He’s eligible for the 2018 NHL draft and from everything we’ve heard and know about him, I think he’ll be picked early,” he added. “Our fans will be excited to have a player of this caliber joining the team that they come to watch every week. It will be a great year to be a Barrie Colts fan. Our fans have been lucky to have watched players Aaron Ekblad, Mark Scheifele, Brian Little, Tanner Pearson and Andrei is another player of that caliber,” added Assistant Coach Todd Miller. Born March 26, 2000, Svechnikov, a 6.2’, 187 lb left shot winger, is eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft. He finished the 2016-17 USHL season with 58 points in 48 games. He also played for Russia in the IIHF World Under-18 Championship putting up four goals and five assists in seven games helping Russia win Bronze. His hometown is Barnaul, Russia, and is the younger brother of former Cape Breton Screaming Eagle Evgeny Svechnikov, a Detroit Red Wings prospect who captured a Calder Cup with the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins this season. “I am extremely excited and honoured to be chosen first overall in the CHL Import Draft,” Svechnikov said. “And I am very excited to be coming to the OHL and the Barrie Colts. I want to thank the Barrie Colts ownership, management team and scouting staff for choosing me. I’m looking forward to moving to Barrie, meeting my new teammates and being part of a championship team,” he added.

We were able to speak to Andrei Svechnikov about being drafted 1st overall. Interpreting is his agent Mark Gandler pic.twitter.com/w6b6gdbCEe
— Barrie Colts (@OHLBarrieColts) June 28, 2017

For full results of the 2017 CHL Import Draft please visit chl.ca/draft.

2017 CHL Import Draft takes place Wednesday June 28

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 21:09:37 +0000

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced details for the 26th annual CHL Import Draft which takes place on Wednesday June 28, 2017, beginning at 11:00 am Eastern.

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 2016-17 season. The OHL’s Barrie Colts hold the number one pick, followed by the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats at number two, and the WHL's Kootenay ICE 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.

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THE 2017 CHL IMPORT DRAFT ORDER AND RESULTS

A total of 15 players acquired through the CHL Import Draft were recently selected in the 2017 NHL Draft including New Jersey Devils first overall pick Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads. Other first round picks included Finnish defencemen Juuso Valimaki of the Tri-City Americans selected 16th overall by the Calgary Flames and Henri Jokiharju of the Portland Winterhawks selected 29th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Last season a total of 79 players were selected from 11 different countries led by 24 players from Russia and consisting of 53 forwards and 26 defencemen.

CHL Grads Andreychuk and Recchi Elected to Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2017

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 00:18:37 +0000

The Canadian Hockey League is proud to announce that two CHL alumni are among the class of 2017 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees. Lanny McDonald, Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame and John Davidson, Chairman of the Selection Committee, announced that seven individuals have been elected to Hockey Hall of Fame Honoured Membership, five in the Player Category and two in the Builder Category. The vote took place at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto. CHL graduates in the Player Category include Oshawa Generals graduate Dave Andreychuk and Kamloops Blazers graduate Mark Recchi. A native of Hamilton, Ont., Andreychuk played in over 1600 NHL regular season games in his more than 20 years in the NHL. After being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1982 Entry Draft, Andreychuk played 11 seasons with the Sabres before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs where he scored 50 goals in the 1993-94 season. By his retirement in 2006, he scored 640 regular season goals, while adding 698 assists. The 6-foot-4, 225Ib. left-winger captained the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship in 2004 while also appearing in two NHL All-Star Games (1990, 1994). He was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2009. “When I look back I always think of hockey as a team game and it was never about me.” said Andreychuk.” As a player it is how we are taught and that makes this individual award even more unique.” Andreychuk's OHL playing career spanned parts of three seasons with the Oshawa Generals from 1980-83. He recorded 87 goals, 89 assists and 176 points over 148 regular season games, headlined by a 57-goal, 100-point season in 1982. Five years younger than Andreychuk, Mark Recchi, a native of Kamloops, BC, will also enter the Hall later this year. After a season in the IHL, Recchi joined the Pittsburgh Penguins full-time in 1989 and began the fourth longest regular season NHL career in history, playing in 1,652 games. Recchi won his first Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh in 1991, and went on to add championships in Carolina in 2006 and Boston in 2011 – only the 10th player in NHL history to win Stanley Cups on three different teams. “I can’t thank the Selection Committee enough for this recognition,” said Recchi. “It’s an incredible feeling and the icing on the cake after 22 years of playing the game.” Amassing 577 goals, 956 assists and 1533 points over 1652 career regular season games, Recchi's NHL career was a continuation of his prolific scoring presence with the WHL's New Westminster Bruins and Kamloops Blazers from 1984-88. He recorded 109 goals, 183 assists and 292 points over 173 regular season games, capping off his tenure as a first team all-star in 1988. Recchi also helped Canada capture gold at the 1988 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Moscow, Russia. Andreychuk and Recchi will join former Anaheim Ducks stars Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne and seven-time Canadian National Women's Team gold medalist Danielle Goyette in the Player Category. University of Alberta Golden Bears coaching legend Clare Drake will join Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs in the Builder Category. The 2017 Induction Celebration will be held on Monday, November 13th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. For more information regarding the 2017 Induction Weekend/Celebration, visit hhof.com. Established in 1943, the Hockey Hall of Fame’s (“HHOF”) mandate is to recognize and honour the achievements of players, builders and officials who bring special distinction to the game of hockey, and to collect, preserve, research and exhibit objects, images and resource materials connected with the game as it is played in Canada and throughout the world. As a non-profit corporation and a registered charity under the Income Tax Act, HHOF owns and operates a museum and place of entertainment offering state-of-the-art exhibits, multimedia presentations and educational programming from its premises at Brookfield Place, Toronto, Canada.

89 CHL Players Selected in the 2017 NHL Draft

Sat, 24 Jun 2017 21:54:16 +0000

Chicago, IL - The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 89 CHL players were selected in the seven rounds of the 2017 NHL Draft held this weekend at United Center in Chicago representing 41% of all 217 players picked by all 31 NHL clubs. The 89 CHL players includes 14 selected in the first round with five picks in the top-10 led by Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads chosen first overall by the New Jersey Devils and Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings picked second overall by the Philadelphia Flyers. The draft's second round featured 16 CHL players bringing the league's opening two-round total to 30 which represents 48% of the top-62 picks. Of the 89 CHL players selected, the Ontario Hockey League leads the way with 42 players, followed by 33 players from the Western Hockey League, and 14 players selected from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. "The NHL Draft is a special time for players to enjoy the experience with their family, friends, billets, and teams and celebrate this most exciting opportunity,” said CHL President David Branch. “Congratulations to all of our players and their families, as well as our coaches and teams who continue to build and enhance the CHL environment as the number one development league and leading supplier of players to the NHL." By position, a total of 117 forwards were selected (55 CHL), 79 defencemen (28 CHL), and 21 goaltenders (6 CHL). The league featured six of the first 10 forwards chosen including Hischier, Patrick, sixth overall pick Cody Glass (Vegas) of the Portland Winterhawks, ninth overall pick Michael Rasmussen (Detroit) of the Tri-City Americans, 10th overall pick Owen Tippett (Florida) of the Mississauga Steelheads, and 11th overall pick Gabriel Vilardi (Los Angeles) of the Windsor Spitfires. On defence, the CHL produced five of the first 10 selected at the position including 14th overall pick Cal Foote (Tampa Bay) of the Kelowna Rockets, 16th overall pick Juuso Valimaki (Calgary) of the Tri-City Americans, 23rd overall pick Pierre-Olivier Joseph (Arizona) of the Charlottetown Islanders, 29th overall pick Henri Jokiharju (Chicago) of the Portland Winterhawks, and the 32nd overall pick Conor Timmins (Colorado) of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. In goal, CHL netminders represented three of the top five picks led by Michael DiPietro (Vancouver) of the Windsor Spitfires chosen 64th overall, Matthew Villalta (Los Angeles) of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds chosen 72nd overall, and Stuart Skinner (Edmonton) of the Lethbridge Hurricanes chosen 78th overall. 43 different CHL teams developed NHL Draft picks in 2017 led by the Owen Sound Attack who produced a franchise record six players selected, followed by the Tri-City Americans who also set a modern seven-round club record with five players selected. The Guelph Storm, Hamilton Bulldogs, London Knights, and Portland Winterhawks each had four players selected with the Bulldogs establishing a new team record after producing their first NHL Draft pick last season following the club's inaugural season in Hamilton. The Knights continued their record streak of players chosen annually since 1969. 28 of the 31 NHL teams selected at least one CHL player with the Arizona Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Vegas Golden Knights, and Vancouver Canucks each selecting five. Of the other Canadian NHL teams, the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs each selected four CHL players, while the Winnipeg Jets selected three. The Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Washington Capitals were the only teams not to select a CHL player. Following the 2017 NHL Draft, a total of 5,461 CHL players have been selected since 1969 representing just under 50% of all players. CHL Players Selected in the 2017 NHL Draft: (Click on a player to watch post-draft interview) First Round (14 CHL Players): 1. Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads) - New Jersey Devils 2. Nolan Patrick (Brandon Wheat Kings) - Philadelphia Flyers 6. Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks) - Vegas Golden Knights 9. Michael Rasmussen (Tri-City Americans) - Detroit Red Wings 10. Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads) - Florida Panthers 11. Gabriel Vilardi (Windsor Spitfires) - Los Angeles Kings 13. Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack) - Vegas Golden Knights 14. Cal Foote (Kelowna Rockets) - Tampa Bay Lightning 16. Juuso Valimaki (Tri-City Americans) - Calgary Flames 20. Robert Thomas (London Knights) - St. Louis Blues 22. Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane Chiefs) - Edmonton Oilers 23. Pierre-Olivier Joseph (Charlottetown Islanders) - Arizona Coyotes 27. Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) - Philadelphia Flyers 29. Henri Jokiharju (Portland Winterhawks) - Chicago Blackhawks Second Round (16 CHL Players): 32. Connor Timmins (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) - Colorado Avalanche 33. Kole Lind (Kelowna Rockets) - Vancouver Canucks 34. Nicolas Hague (Mississauga Steelheads) - Vegas Golden Knights 35. Isaac Ratcliffe (Guelph Storm) - Philadelphia Flyers 39. Jason Robertson (Kingston Frontenacs) - Dallas Stars 40. Aleksi Heponiemi (Swift Current Broncos) - Florida Panthers 41. Jared Anderson-Dolan (Spokane Chiefs) - Los Angeles Kings 47. Alex Formenton (London Knights) - Ottawa Senators 50. Maxime Comtois (Victoriaville Tigres) - Anaheim Ducks 51. Zachary Lauzon (Rouyn-Noranda Huskies) - Pittsburgh Penguins 53. Jack Studnicka (Oshawa Generals) - Boston Bruins 55. Jonah Gadjovich (Owen Sound Attack) - Vancouver Canucks 56. Josh Brook (Moose Jaw Warriors) - Montreal Canadiens) 59. Eemeli Rasanen (Kingston Frontenacs) - Toronto Maple Leafs 60. Antoine Morand (Acadie-Bathurst Titan) - Anaheim Ducks 62. Jake Leschyshyn (Regina Pats) - Vegas Golden Knights Third Round (13 CHL Players): 64. Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires) - Vancouver Canucks 67. Morgan Geekie (Tri-City Americans) - Carolina Hurricanes 68. Scott Walford (Victoria Royals) - Montreal Canadiens 69. MacKenzie Entwistle (Hamilton Bulldogs) - Arizona Coyotes 72. Matthew Villalta (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) - Los Angeles Kings 73. Stelio Mattheos (Brandon Wheat Kings) - Carolina Hurricanes 75. Nate Schnarr (Guelph Storm) - Arizona Coyotes 78. Stuart Skinner (Lethbridge Hurricanes) - Edmonton Oilers 79. Lane Zablocki (Red Deer Rebels) - Detroit Red Wings 83. Zach Gallant (Peterborough Petes) - Detroit Red Wings 84. Dmitri Samorukov (Guelph Storm) - Edmonton Oilers 85. Ivan Lodnia (Erie Otters) - Minnesota Wild 87. Cale Fleury (Kootenay ICE) - Montreal Canadiens Fourth Round (13 CHL Players): 94. Nick Henry (Regina Pats) - Colorado Avalanche 97. Mason Shaw (Medicine Hat Tigers) - Minnesota Wild 98. Nikita Popugaev (Prince George Cougars) - New Jersey Devils 101. Liam Hawel (Guelph Storm) - Dallas Stars 106. Matthew Strome (Hamilton Bulldogs) - Philadelphia Flyers 107. Maksim Sushko (Owen Sound Attack) - Philadelphia Flyers 108. Noel Hoefenmayer (Ottawa 67's) - Arizona Coyotes 109. Adam Ruzicka (Sarnia Sting) - Calgary Flames 110. Ian Scott (Prince Albert Raiders) - Toronto Maple Leafs 118. Markus Phillips (Owen Sound Attack) - Los Angeles Kings 121. Drake Batherson (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) - Ottawa Senators 122. Kyle Olson (Tri-City Americans) - Anaheim Ducks 123. Brandon Crawley (London Knights) - New York Rangers Fifth Round (11 CHL Players): 128. Tyler Steenbergen (Swift Current Broncos) - Arizona Coyotes 130. David Noel (Val-d'Or Foreurs) - St. Louis Blues 131. Cole Fraser (Peterborough Petes) - Detroit Red Wings 136. Leon Gawanke (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) - Winnipeg Jets 138. Drake Rymsha (Sarnia Sting) - Los Angeles Kings 140. Zach Fischer (Medicine Hat Tigers) - Calgary Flames 141. Fedor Gordeev (Flint Firebirds) - Toronto Maple Leafs 143. Marian Studenic (Hamilton Bulldogs) - New Jersey Devils 146. Kirill Maksimov (Niagara IceDogs) - Edmonton Oilers 147. Jacob Golden (London Knights) - Minnesota Wild 149. Jarret Tyszka (Seattle Thunderbirds) - Montreal Canadiens Sixth Round (13 CHL Players): 159. Jacob McGrew (Spokane Chiefs) - San Jose Sharks 163. Brett Davis (Kootenay ICE) - Dallas Stars 164. Reilly Webb (Hamilton Bulldogs) - Detroit Red Wings 165. Arnaud Durandeau (Halifax Mooseheads) - New York Islanders 166. Brendan De Jong (Portland Winterhawks) - Carolina Hurricanes 171. D'Artagnan Joly (Baie-Comeau Drakkar) - Calgary Flames 172. Ryan McGregor (Sarnia Sting) - Toronto Maple Leafs 173. Cedric Pare (Saint John Sea Dogs) - Boston Bruins 175. Trenton Bourque (Owen Sound Attack) - St. Louis Blues 176. Pavel Koltygin (Drummondville Voltigeurs) - Nashville Predators 181. Petrus Palmu (Owen Sound Attack) - Vancouver Canucks 183. Jordan Hollett (Medicine Hat Tigers) - Ottawa Senators 185. Sasha Chmelevski (Ottawa 67's) - San Jose Sharks Seventh Round (9 CHL Players): 188. Matt Brassard (Oshawa Generals) - Vancouver Canucks 189. Ben Jones (Niagara IceDogs) - Vegas Golden Knights 191. Jocktan Chainey (Halifax Mooseheads) - New Jersey Devils 193. Brady Gilmour (Saginaw Spirit) - Detroit Red Wings 194. Dylan Ferguson (Kamloops Blazers) - Dallas Stars 198. Skyler McKenzie (Portland Winterhawks) - Winnipeg Jets 204. Daniel Bukac (Brandon Wheat Kings) - Boston Bruins 212. Ivan Chekhovich (Baie-Comeau Drakkar) - San Jose Sharks 216. Jacob Paquette (Kingston Frontenacs) - Nashville Predators For full results from the 2017 NHL Draft visit www.nhl.com.

14 CHL Players Selected in First Round of 2017 NHL Draft

Sat, 24 Jun 2017 04:24:14 +0000

Chicago, IL – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that 14 CHL players were selected in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft held Friday night at the United Center, home of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. The 14 CHL players represents 45% of all players selected in the draft’s opening round led by forward Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads chosen first overall by the New Jersey Devils. He was followed by second overall pick Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings who was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers. Hischier's selection marks the ninth time in the past 10 years that the Canadian Hockey League has produced the first overall pick of the NHL Draft. Hischier and Patrick are the latest 1, 2 combination from the CHL, following Aaron Ekblad (Florida Panthers/Barrie Colts) and Sam Reinhart (Buffalo Sabres/Kootenay Ice) in 2014. "It feels unbelievable," said Hischier, who becomes the first Swiss player to ever be taken first overall in the NHL Draft. "I was speechless there for a long time and I still can't believe it. I hugged my mom first and I think she was crying a little bit so it was a lot of emotion. There are no words to describe this feeling. "I didn't know anything so it was from one second to the other." Selected second overall, Patrick embraced Flyers orange and looked ahead to his future home following the pick. He'll join former Brandon Wheat Kings teammate Ivan Provorov in the City of Brotherly Love. "I didn't know where I was going to go, but I had a feeling I might end up in Philly and that's a place that I'd be really excited to play. I try not to think too far ahead and I just want to enjoy the moment and take in the experience of being here. "We're completely different players," Patrick said of his comparison to Hischier. "He might be a little more offensively dynamic than me and I might be a little more defensively than him." Hischier was one of two first round picks from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League along with defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph who became the highest selected player in Charlottetown Islanders history chosen 23rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes. The Western Hockey League led the way with seven players selected in the first round of the NHL Draft which is the league's highest total since 2014. Three of their seven picks were top-10 selections including Patrick, followed by Portland Winterhawks forward Cody Glass who became the first ever draft selection in Vegas Golden Knights history going to the expansion franchise at sixth overall. Following Glass, Tri-City Americans centreman Michael Rasmussen was chosen ninth by the Detroit Red Wings. Kelowna Rockets blueliner Cal Foote was the first CHL defenceman selected going 14th overall to the Tampa Bay Lightning before Rasmussen's Tri-City teammate Juuso Valimaki, a Finnish defenceman, went 16th overall to the Calgary Flames. Speedy winger Kailer Yamamoto of the Spokane Chiefs was chosen 22nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers before Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game standout Henri Jokiharju of the Portland Winterhawks was taken by the host Chicago Blackhawks at 29th overall. With the selections of Rasmussen and Valimaki, the Tri-City Americans had two players chosen in the first round of the NHL Draft for the first time since 1996, marking the fourth time in franchise history that they've produced two or more first round selections. The selections of Glass and Jokiharju give the Portland Winterhawks two first round NHL Draft selections for the first time since 2011 when Sven Baertschi (13th overall, Calgary) and Joe Morrow (23rd overall, Pittsburgh) were chosen. The Ontario Hockey League saw five players selected in the first round led by Mississauga Steelheads winger Owen Tippett who was chosen 10th overall by the Florida Panthers. Mastercard Memorial Cup champion Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires followed one pick later to the Los Angeles Kings at 11th overall before Owen Sound Attack centreman Nick Suzuki was selected 13th by the Vegas Golden Knights. London Knights centreman Robert Thomas was chosen 20th overall by the St. Louis Blues while Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds forward Morgan Frost rounded out the OHL selections at 27th overall to the Philadelphia Flyers. The selection of Thomas marks the third straight year a London Knight has been chosen in the draft's opening round representing the CHL's longest active streak. In 2016 the club produced three first round selections in Olli Juolevi (5th overall, Vancouver), Matthew Tkachuk (6th overall, Calgary), and Max Jones (24th, Anaheim), while Mitch Marner (4th, Toronto) was selected in 2015. CHL Players Selected in the First Round of the 2017 NHL Draft: (Click on a name below to watch post-draft interview) 1. Nico Hischier (Halifax Mooseheads) - New Jersey Devils 2. Nolan Patrick (Brandon Wheat Kings) - Philadelphia Flyers 6. Cody Glass (Portland Winterhawks) - Vegas Golden Knights 9. Michael Rasmussen (Tri-City Americans) - Detroit Red Wings 10. Owen Tippett (Mississauga Steelheads) - Florida Panthers 11. Gabriel Vilardi (Windsor Spitfires) - Los Angeles Kings 13. Nick Suzuki (Owen Sound Attack) - Vegas Golden Knights 14. Cal Foote (Kelowna Rockets) - Tampa Bay Lightning 16. Juuso Valimaki (Tri-City Americans) - Calgary Flames 20. Robert Thomas (London Knights) - St. Louis Blues 22. Kailer Yamamoto (Spokane Chiefs) - Edmonton Oilers 23. Pierre-Olivier Joseph (Charlottetown Islanders) - Arizona Coyotes 27. Morgan Frost (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) - Philadelphia Flyers 29. Henri Jokiharju (Portland Winterhawks) - Chicago Blackhawks For more information on the 2017 NHL Draft including full results visit www.nhl.com.

Nico Hischier selected first overall in 2017 NHL Draft

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 23:18:03 +0000

Chicago, IL – The Canadian Hockey League is proud to announce that forward Nico Hischier of the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads has been selected first overall in the 2017 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils.

Hischier becomes the tenth CHL player in 11 years to be chosen first overall and second member of the Mooseheads to earn the distinction in five years following the Colorado Avalanche’s selection of Nathan MacKinnon in 2013. Other top CHL selections include Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters chosen first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015, Aaron Ekblad of the Barrie Colts to the Florida Panthers in 2014, the Oilers’ picks of Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting in 2012, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Red Deer Rebels in 2011, and Taylor Hall of the Windsor Spitfires in 2010. John Tavares of the London Knights was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in 2009, following the Sting’s Steven Stamkos chosen by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008, and the Knights’ Patrick Kane picked first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007.

The 18-year-old from Naters, Switzerland, earned CHL Rookie of the Year honours this season after finishing 2016-17 with 38 goals and 48 assists for 86 points in 57 games. Hischier joined the Mooseheads after being chosen sixth overall in the 2016 CHL Import Draft and was a captain of Team Orr at the 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Quebec City where he earned Player of the Game honours.

The 2017 NHL Draft continues with first round selections on Friday night, followed by rounds two through seven on Saturday.

Spitfires’ Letowski Joins Canada’s National Junior Team Coaching Staff

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 21:11:55 +0000

CALGARY, Alta. – A newly-minted Memorial Cup champion, Trevor Letowski (Windsor Spitfires) has joined the coaching staff of Canada's National Junior Team for the 2017-18 season following the departure of assistant coach Kris Knoblauch, who recently accepted an NHL coaching role with the Philadelphia Flyers. This will be Letowski’s second turn as assistant coach for Canada’s National Junior Team; he was an assistant coach at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he worked alongside Dominique Ducharme (Drummondville Voltigeurs) who rose to the ranks of head coach of the team the following year – a position he retains through the 2017-18 season. Letowski, who wrapped up his NHL career having played 616 games as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Carolina Hurricanes, spent five years coaching the OHL’s Sarnia Sting and joined the Windsor Spitfires’ coaching staff as associate coach in the summer of 2015. He was named head coach of the Spitfires in June 2017. In addition to winning the 2017 Memorial Cup with the Spitfires, Letowski is a World Juniors gold-medallist, having played on the winning Canadian squad at the 1997 IIHF World Junior Championship. Hockey Canada announced in March that Ducharme would return as head coach of Canada’s National Junior Team, and that Tim Hunter (Calgary/Moose Jaw, WHL) will reprise his role as assistant coach. Canada’s National Junior Team coaches and staff will be joined by 42 players who have been invited to take part in the Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Mich., in August. Team management, coaches, and staff will continue to evaluate the players throughout the season with the goal of shortlisting the roster for the December selection camp and, ultimately, field the team that will go for gold in Buffalo, N.Y., at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. For more information on Canada’s National Junior Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, and Twitter.

Debate the order but Nolan and Nico are undeniable Top Prospects

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 18:55:40 +0000

Will it be Nolan or Nico? With just days to go, there is little clear consensus whether Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings or Nico Hischier of the Halifax Mooseheads will be called first on Friday night when the NHL Draft gets underway in Chicago. For Patrick, he remains at the top of the draft rankings despite losing large stretches to injury this season. He was the top ranked North American prospect in NHL Central Scouting’s season-ending list and he won the Canadian Hockey League’s Top Prospect Award. While he played well in limited action this season – 46 points in 33 games – Patrick’s status was bolstered by his two seasons before this one, including helping the Wheat Kings to the WHL title in 2015-16. Overall, Patrick registered 204 points in 160 games during his three full seasons in Brandon. “It was a tough year with all the injuries but I think I came through it stronger to go through the adversity,” said Patrick. “But it wasn’t the ideal season for any hockey player.” “To be put in the category (of possibly being selected first overall) is a pretty special feeling.” Out of nowhere, seemingly, is Hischier, who was named the CHL Rookie of the Year this season and finished the season No. 2 on Central Scouting’s final rankings. “The draft was always very real,” said Hischier, in reference to discussion surrounding him that began not long after he arrived in Halifax. “But now in knowing which teams picks first and second, I’m just really excited and looking forward to it.” “I’ll take (everything) as it comes but for sure if I go No. 1 overall, I will be really, really happy…the key is to not think too much about it and focus on my summer training.” Barring a trade, the Devils will pick between two players who represent roughly equal value but play a dissimilar style. Patrick is a classic, big, puck-savvy centre who has tremendous hockey sense and set-up ability with a reasonable goal-scoring touch as well. Hischier is a dynamic offensive pivot who, if he physically matures as expected, should develop into an offensive dynamo at the NHL level. In an interesting twist, whoever is picked first will join 2010 No.1 overall pick Taylor Hall on the Devils. Hall, the former Windsor Spitfire, was picked first by the Edmonton Oilers seven years ago, where he played with three other first overall picks in Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer Rebels), Nail Yakupov (Sarnia Sting) and Connor McDavid (Erie Otters). “I’ve played with my share of first overall picks,” said Hall, who was traded to New Jersey a year ago. “You want them to come in and make them familiar with the setting and put them in a good spot. That’s very important for whomever we end up selecting.” Hall’s Windsor Spitfires teammate, Adam Henrique, has remained in New Jersey since breaking into the NHL with the Devils in 2011. Like Hall, he will be an interested observer on Friday night. “Winning the draft lottery for us was huge, a nice surprise,” said Henrique, “(winning it) has changed a lot of organizations. Our staff will do a great job going over all the details but I don’t have any insight on who we're going to take.” Henrique made the last comment in jest but his first remarks detail how serious the decision will be for the Devils organization. Patrick has done nothing to lose the No. 1 ranking but if Hischier is picked first by the Devils, it will cap a meteoric run not seen in the modern history of the NHL Draft. Aside from him being a possible first-rounder, little was known of Hischier when he arrived in Halifax last fall. The son of a former professional soccer player, Hischier also has an older brother, Luca, who plays for Bern in the Swiss professional league. He moved to Halifax to take advantage of the “Canadian atmosphere” in his draft year and he hasn’t looked back since his arrival. The 18-year-old started strong, was even better at the World Junior, then returned to Halifax and barely missed a beat. He had 86 points in 57 games for the Mooseheads. Athletic genes run in Patrick’s family as well. His father, Steve, also played for the Wheat Kings and he was a first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, eventually playing 250 NHL games with the Sabres, Quebec Nordiques and New York Rangers. Steve’s younger brother, James Patrick, played 1,280 games for four different NHL clubs and suited up for Team Canada at the 1984 Olympics. Nolan Patrick’s late grandfather, Stephen Patrick, played 13 seasons in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and served as a provincial MLA in the Manitoba Legislature after his playing career. He died in 2014. While there remains much uncertainty who will go No. 1, Hischier appears certain to become the highest ever Swiss player taken. That mark was set by Nino Niederreiter of the Portland Winterhawks when he was picked fifth overall by the New York Islanders in the 2010 Draft. “It will be quite an honour to become the highest Swiss player picked,” said Hischier. “I can’t say enough thank-yous to the people that have supported me (back home).”

CHL grads take centre stage at 2017 NHL Awards

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:01:22 +0000

CHL graduates took centre stage in Las Vegas on Wednesday as eight were recognized for outstanding seasons at the 2017 NHL Awards ceremony. The 2015 CHL Player of the Year and first overall selection of the 2015 NHL Draft, Edmonton Oilers centreman Connor McDavid (Erie Otters) took home the hardware, receiving the Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player following a 100-point season (30-70--100) that also earned him the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer. Additionally, McDavid received the Ted Lindsay Award as the league's Most Valuable Player as voted on by members of the NHLPA.

The big winner. #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/MO9B70V2UU
— NHL (@NHL) June 22, 2017

McDavid becomes the fourth consecutive CHL graduate to earn Hart Trophy honours following Patrick Kane (London Knights/Chicago Blackhawks) in 2016, Carey Price (Tri-City Americans/Montreal Canadiens) in 2015 and Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Oceanic/Pittsburgh Penguins) in 2014. At 20-years-old, McDavid is the third-youngest player in NHL history to win the Hart Trophy, joining elite company in fellow Oiler Wayne Gretzky (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) in 1980 along with Pittsburgh's Crosby in 2007 who both earned the distinction as 19-year-olds. On the blue line, Brent Burns (Brampton Battalion) of the San Jose Sharks won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenceman. Burns is the first Shark to ever win the Norris Trophy, doing so for the first time in his NHL career following an outstanding season that included 29 goals, 47 assists and 76 points in 82 contests.

Brent Burns is the League’s top defenseman! #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/RPcRRzDwdM — NHL (@NHL) June 22, 2017

Burns is the fourth CHL grad to win the award in the past five seasons, joining a list that also includes Drew Doughty (Guelph Storm/Los Angeles Kings) in 2016, Duncan Keith (Kelowna Rockets/Chicago Blackhawks) in 2014 and P.K. Subban (Belleville Bulls/Montreal Canadiens) in 2013. Stanley Cup champion Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins received the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal-scorer. The 29-year-old led all players with 44 goals in 75 games this past season, earning him the honour for the second time in his career.

He won it with 44 goals in the regular season, and Sid got to pick up his Rocket Richard Trophy at the #NHLAwards. pic.twitter.com/z7tKpn9wXQ
— NHL (@NHL) June 22, 2017

Another well-known Canadian forward, two-way centreman Patrice Bergeron (Acadie-Bathurst Titan/Boston Bruins) earned the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward for the fourth time in his career. The 31-year-old recorded 21 goals, 32 assists and 53 points over 79 games and finished the season with a plus/minus rating of plus-24.

The forward who best excels at defensive aspects of the game is Patrice Bergeron. #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/q23qI9z5gf — NHL (@NHL) June 22, 2017

Bergeron joins Hockey Hall of Famer Bob Gainey (Peterborough Petes/Montreal Canadiens) as the only other player to win the Selke four different times. The NHL's Vezina Trophy recipient in 2016, Braden Holtby (Saskatoon Blades/Washington Capitals) took home a different honour in the crease this past season, earning the Jennings Trophy as his Capitals surrendered the league's fewest goals against during the regular season. Holtby turned in a 2.07 goals-against average along with a .925 save percentage in 63 games.

By the numbers: Braden Holtby wins the Jennings, Sidney Crosby wins the Maurice Richard, and Connor McDavid claims the Art Ross Trophy. pic.twitter.com/hFofZG3HsB — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 22, 2017

Off the ice, resilient goaltender Craig Anderson (Guelph Storm/Ottawa Senators) received the Masterton Trophy awarded to the player who exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

For his incredible perseverance and dedication to hockey, Craig Anderson wins the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/6MP4dHhyQU — NHL (@NHL) June 22, 2017

Anderson, whose wife Nicholle announced that she was cancer free in May following a diagnosis back in October, helped lead the Senators to the Eastern Conference Final this past spring. He went 25-11-4 during the season with a 2.28 goals-against-average an a .926 save percentage over 40 games. Another OHL graduate in Nick Foligno (Sudbury Wolves/Columbus Blue Jackets) was a dual award recipient, claiming the King Clancy Memorial Trophy player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community. He also received the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award, an honour given annually to a player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to the team, on and off the ice, during the regular season.

Nick Foligno receives both the Mark Messier Leadership Award and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. More:https://t.co/n2BUauwZtW #NHLAwards pic.twitter.com/96BoMhjESe — NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 21, 2017

Foligno and his wife, Janelle, donated $500,000 to Children's Hospital in Boston in November as a symbol of their gratitude for the life-saving heart surgery their newborn daughter, Milana, received at the hospital in November 2013. A donation of $500,000 was also made on behalf of Milana to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus. On the ice, the 29-year-old captain of the Blue Jackets recorded 26 goals, 25 assists and 51 points in 79 games. New York Islanders defenceman Travis Hamonic (Moose Jaw Warriors, Brandon Wheat Kings) was also the recipient of prestigious honour, receiving the NHL Foundation Player Award for his work with the 'D-Partner Program.'

Travis Hamonic won the #NHL Foundation Player Award recognizing his tremendous work with kids who've lost a parent: https://t.co/jovzyTxH1G pic.twitter.com/42rrqE5ILK — New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 21, 2017

Hamonic, who was 10-years-old when his father, Gerald, died of a heart attack, has bonded with more than 200 children who have lost a parent at a young age through his D-Partner Program. He has spent more than $50,000 hosting D-Partner Program participants at Islanders homes games, providing rink-side seats, VIP treatment and meet-and-greets. The 26-year-old recorded three goals, 11 assists and 14 points in 49 games with the Isles this past season. The NHL also announced its 2016-17 all-star and all-rookie teams on Wednesday. A total of 10 CHL graduates were recognized on first, second and all-rookie all-star teams. (listed below) CHL GRADUATES WHO WERE 2017 NHL AWARD WINNERS: Hart Trophy (MVP): Connor McDavid (Erie Otters/Edmonton Oilers) Art Ross Trophy (Leading Scorer): Connor McDavid (Erie Otters/Edmonton Oilers) Maurice Richard Trophy (Top Goal-Scorer): Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Oceanic/Pittsburgh Penguins) Ted Lindsay Award (MVP, voted by the players): Connor McDavid (Erie Otters/Edmonton Oilers) Norris Trophy (Defenceman of the Year): Brent Burns (Brampton Battalion/San Jose Sharks) Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward): Patrice Bergeron (Acadie-Bathurst Titan/Boston Bruins) Masterton Trophy (Dedication to Hockey): Craig Anderson (Guelph Storm/Ottawa Senators) King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Humanitarian): Nick Foligno (Sudbury Wolves/Columbus Blue Jackets) Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award: Nick Foligno (Sudbury Wolves/Columbus Blue Jackets) NHL Foundation Player Award (Community Service): Travis Hamonic (Brandon, Moose Jaw/New York Islanders) Jennings Trophy (Team with fewest goals against): Braden Holtby (Saskatoon Blades/Washington Capitals) CHL GRADUATES ON 2016-17 NHL ALL-STAR AND ALL-ROOKIE TEAMS: First All-Star Team D - Brent Burns (Brampton Battalion/San Jose Sharks) C - Connor McDavid (Erie Otters/Edmonton Oilers) RW - Patrick Kane (London Knights/Chicago Blackhawks) LW - Brad Marchand (Moncton, Val-d'Or, Halifax/Boston Bruins) Second All-Star Team G - Braden Holtby (Saskatoon Blades/Washington Capitals) D - Duncan Keith (Kelowna Rockets/Chicago Blackhawks) C - Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Oceanic/Pittsburgh Penguins) RW - Nikita Kucherov (Quebec, Rouyn-Noranda/Tampa Bay Lightning) All-Rookie Team G - Matt Murray (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds/Pittsburgh Penguins) F - Mitch Marner (London Knights/Toronto Maple Leafs)