Eagles Choose Two in the 2023 CHL Import Draft
The 2023 CHL Import Draft came to a conclusion this afternoon, and your Eagles made two selections in today’s draft; goaltender Jakub Milota of Czechia, and forward Lubos Stahon from Slovakia.
“We’re very pleased to add these to players to our organization,” says Eagles GM Sylvain Couturier.
“Jakub is a bright young goaltender, who has played on the international scene and was highly spoken of by former Eagles goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.”
“Lubos was one of the few players in this Import Draft who played significant time in a professional men’s hockey league, and as a 17-year-old no less. He has a high ceiling, lots of potential, and came highly recommended from Miguel Tourigny, a former player of mine in Bathurst, and who played with Lubos last year with HK Dukla Trencin.”
Jakub Milota – Goaltender – Ostrava, Czechia
The 6’1” 168lb goaltender from Ostrava, Czechia split his time this past season between HC Oceláři Třinec’s two junior teams this year. In 15 games with the U17 team, Jakub posted a 11-4-0 record (with 4 shutouts) while compiling a 1.43 GAA and a .947 SV%. After his stint with the U17 team, Jakub made the transition to the U20 team, where he had an 8-1-0 record (including 2 shutouts) in 9 games played, with a 2.41 GAA and .924 SV%.
Jakub also played in 9 games for Czechia at the U17 International level in 2022-23 where he sported a 3-6-0 record, with a 2.94 GAA and a .909 SV%.
From Jared Brown, Director of Scouting for Draft Prospects Hockey, “Milota’s competitiveness to keep battling [is] incredible to watch. He plays a hybrid style, competes hard to make every save, and displays solid positioning in his crease. Has good speed in the crease and able to stick with opponents. Stays aggressive with his positioning and doesn’t back up into his net. Nice quick reflexes. His athleticism and quickness in the crease are good.”
Lubos Stahon – Forward – Trstena, Slovakia
The 17-year-old from Trstena, Slovakia split his 2022-23 season with two teams in the HK Dukla Trenčín’s organization. A 5’11” 172lb forward posted 5 goals and 5 assists in 11 games played for Dukla Trenčín’s U20 team before being called up to HK Dukla Trenčín’s professional team. Playing 42 games in the Slovak Extraliga, Lubos posted a respectable 2 points for a 17-year-old playing in a professional men’s hockey league.
