2014 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft Results
Wednesday July 2, 2014
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the final results of the 2014 CHL Import Draft.
The 23rd annual CHL Import Draft included a total of 71 players selected from 12 different countries led by 25 players from Russia and consisting of 50 forwards and 21 defencemen.
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 2013-14 season.
The Sarnia Sting used the first overall pick to acquire 17-year-old forward Pavel Zacha of the Czech Republic. The 17-year-old stands 6’2’’, 200lb, born April 6, 1997, and is eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft. The Quebec Remparts held the second overall pick acquired in a 2012 trade with the Sherbrooke Phoenix and used it to select Russian forward Vladislav Kamenev. The 6’2’’, 203lb winger was born August 12, 1996, and was a second round selection, 42nd overall, to the Nashville Predators in the 2014 NHL Draft. The Lethbridge Hurricanes were the first WHL club to select and chose Russian forward Nikita Milekhin with the third overall pick. Born February 2, 1997, the 17-year-old stands 6’1’’ and 165lb and is eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft.
The 2014 CHL Import Draft featured nine players selected in the 2014 NHL Draft with a pair of first round picks including Boston Bruins first rounder pick David Pastrnak chosen 10th overall in the Import Draft by the Belleville Bulls, and Toronto Maple Leafs first pick William Nylander chosen 13th overall in the Import Draft by the Mississauga Steelheads. Four 2014 NHL Draft second round picks were also selected including Kamenev, along with Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Dominik Masin chosen 25th overall by the Peterborough Petes, St. Louis Blues prospect Maxim Letunov chosen 36th overall by the Swift Current Broncos, and San Jose Sharks prospect Julius Bergman chosen 52nd overall by the London Knights. A pair of third round NHL Draft picks were also selected including Florida Panthers prospect Juho Lammikko chosen 43rd overall by the Kingston Frontenacs, and Arizona Coyotes prospect Anton Karlsson chosen 55th overall by the Erie Otters. 2014 NHL Draft seventh round pick and Minnesota Wild prospect Pavel Jenys was also selected in the Import Draft going 91st overall to the Sudbury Wolves. Additionally, two players from the 2013 NHL Draft were selected in the Import Draft including Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Markus Soberg selected 34th overall by the Windsor Spitfires, and Ottawa Senators prospect Tobias Lindberg selected 46th overall by the Oshawa Generals.
A total of 45 players selected in the 2014 CHL Import Draft are eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft, while one player selected is not eligible for the NHL Draft until 2016.
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 2014 CHL IMPORT DRAFT
2014 CHL Import Draft Summary:
Draft Picks by Position:
Forward – 50
Defence – 21
Draft Picks by Country:
Russia – 25
Czech Republic – 13
Sweden – 12
Slovakia – 4
Switzerland – 4
Denmark – 3
Finland – 3
Austria – 2
Belarus – 2
Hungary – 1
Latvia – 1
Norway – 1
Draft Picks by Birthdate and NHL Status:
1997-born late and 2016 NHL Draft eligible – 1
1997-born and 2015 NHL Draft eligible – 38
1996-born late and 2015 Draft eligible – 7
1996-born and 2014 NHL Drafted – 8
1996-born and NHL Undrafted – 7
1995-born late and 2014 NHL Drafted – 1
1995-born and 2013 NHL Drafted – 2
1995-born and NHL Undrafted – 7
A total of 12 players acquired through previous CHL Import Drafts were recently selected in the 2014 NHL Draft including first round picks Leon Draisaitl of the Prince Albert Raiders chosen third overall by the Edmonton Oilers, CHL Rookie of the Year Nikolaj Ehlers of the Halifax Mooseheads chosen ninth overall by the Winnipeg Jets, defenceman Julius Honka of the Swift Current Broncos selected 14th overall by the Dallas Stars, Nikita Scherbak of the Saskatoon Blades chosen 26th overall by the Montreal Canadiens, and Nikolay Goldobin of the Sarnia Sting chosen 27th overall by the San Jose Sharks.
Last season a total of 78 players were 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 Vancouver Giants used the first overall pick to select Russian defenceman Dmitry Osipov.
