Sting Look for Big Boost with 7th Overall Selection in CHL Import Draft

SARNIA, ON- Sarnia Sting General Manager Dylan Seca will look to add an elite talent to the 2020-21 Sarnia Sting lineup as the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft gets underway Tuesday, June 30^th at 11 AM EST. The Sting hold the 7^th overall selection.

• 2020 Draft Central Powered By Imperial
• LIVE Draft Results 
• Order of Selection

Pavel Zacha (New Jersey Devils) played in 88 OHL games for the Sting over two seasons

The CHL Import Draft has always been a big day on the calendar for OHL clubs, marking an opportunity to add a player or two who can make an immediate impact in the upcoming season. This year’s selection is set for Tuesday June 30th starting at 11:00am, with pick-by-pick coverage at both chl.ca and ontariohockeyleague.com. It will be a unique edition of the event this year, as CHL clubs will make their selections prior to the NHL Draft taking place.

While some teams have taken the approach of identifying younger international talent to add to their depth chart, others have turned to 19-year-olds who can step in and serve as cornerstones in a contending cause. Teams can also choose to pass on either or both of their import selections if they have returning eligible European players in their lineups. The Sarnia Sting will pass on their 2020 2nd round (67) CHL Import Draft Selection as Swedish defenceman and 2019 first round pick Eric Hjorth (D) will return to the Sting lineup.

This is how you shoot a puck kids.

Shooting lessons courtesy of @EricHjorth #SARvsLDN | #MoreThanAGame pic.twitter.com/pvyElARuOq

— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) December 14, 2019

The Sting have had success in past years of the CHL Import Draft, with notable names such as Hugo Leufvenius (2017-2019), Adam Ruzicka (2016-2019) & Pavel Zacha (2014-16) all donning the black and yellow in Sarnia. Both Ruzickaand Zacha signed National Hockey League deals while Leufvenius continued his professional hockey career back in Sweden.

IN GAME | @ARuzicka21 from @JordanKyrou is ???????? as usual! That’s four goals in four periods for Ruzicka!#SARvsSOO #SwarmWithUs pic.twitter.com/HiAfLlSaA4

— Sarnia Sting (@StingHockey) January 20, 2018

Complete Sarnia Sting CHL Import Draft History

The Canadian Hockey League has documented a decade of past CHL Import Draft selections, highlighting the top player chosen in each slot inside the top 20 picks. OHL names include Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts, 2017), Ukko Pekka-Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves, 2018), Andre Burakovsky (Erie Otters, 2013), Nikita Zadorov (London Knights, 2012), Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit, 2018), Nikita Okhotyuk (Ottawa 67’s, 2017), Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67’s, 2018) and Vladislav Namestnikov (London Knights, 2010).

2020 CHL Import Draft – OHL First Round Order of Selection:

1. North Bay Battalion
2. Niagara IceDogs
3. Sarnia Sting
4. Soo Greyhounds (Pass)
5. Kingston Frontenacs (Pass)
6. Hamilton Bulldogs
7. Mississauga Steelheads
8. Erie Otters
9. Barrie Colts
10. Owen Sound Attack
11. Sudbury Wolves
12. Guelph Storm (Pass)
13. Oshawa Generals
14. Windsor Spitfires
15. Peterborough Petes
16. Flint Firebirds
17. Kitchener Rangers
18. Saginaw Spirit
19. London Knights
20. Ottawa 67’s