Chiefs select forwards Kral, Ekstrom in 2023 CHL Import Draft
Spokane, Wash. — The Spokane Chiefs selected Czech forward Lukas Kral with the sixth overall pick and Swedish forward Rasmus Ekstrom with the 66th overall pick in the 2023 CHL Import Draft Wednesday morning.
Kral, a 5-foot-11 winger, spent the 2022-23 season with Mountfield HK U20 where he posted 30 points on 13 goals and 17 assists in 45 games played. The 17-year-old also represented Czechia at the 2022 World U17 Hockey Challenge, tacking on two goals and three assists in six games.
“Kral is a goal-scoring winger who brings offensive danger every shift,” Chiefs European Scout Janik Beichler said. “He combines very good skating and puck skills, and is able to make smart offensive plays consistently.”
Ekstrom spent the 2022-23 season with Sodertalje SK J20 where he piled up 31 points in 39 games (15G-16A). Prior to that, the 2004-born forward played 39 games up with the J20 squad as a 17-year-old in the 2021-22 season and chipped in 11 goals and three assists, adding on another goal and an assist in three playoff games.
“Ekstrom is a smart two-way player with a strong shot,” Beichler said. “He can play in all situations, at center and on the wing, and can contribute at both ends of the ice.”
Last year’s import player, Italian-born Tommaso De Luca, has signed a professional contract with HC Ambri-Piotta and has been placed on the Chiefs’ Special Import List as WHL clubs are only allowed two import players on their roster. Spokane retains his CHL rights.
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The Spokane Chiefs are a member of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League, the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players. Since 1985 the Chiefs have been a pillar in the Spokane community, offering family-friendly entertainment and a winning tradition, which includes: two Memorial Cup Championships in 1991 & 2008, two WHL Championships in 1991 & 2008 and four Western Conference Championships in 1991, 1996, 2000 & 2008. Over 60 alumni have gone on to play in the National Hockey League.
