Hurricanes Select Elias Knoester in Import Draft
Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club announced Wednesday they have selected 2005-born forward Elias Knoester in the 2023 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
Knoester, 17, was selected by the Hurricanes with the 42nd overall pick in the import draft. The product of Malmo, Sweden, spent the 2022-2023 season with the Malmo Redhawks team appearing in games at the J18 and J20 levels. The 5’8, 145-pound forward recorded 23 points (11g-12a) along with eight penalty minutes at the J18 level. He added 18 points (9g-9a) with 18 penalty minutes in 42 games at the J20 level. Knoester added three points (1g-2a) along with two penalty minutes in a combined six playoff games.
In 2021-2022, Knoester racked up an impressive 36 points (16g-20a) along with 18 penalty minutes and a plus-8 rating in 33 games with the Redhawks J18 team. The late-2005 born forward will be eligible for the 2024 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He is the son Roger Jonsson who spent nearly two decades playing professional hockey in Sweden.
Knoester becomes the 37th player selected in the European draft by the Hurricanes in team history. He is just the third player from Sweden selected by the ‘Canes and the first since 2012 when Lethbridge selected Axel Blomqvist.
The Hurricanes will open the 2023-2024 regular season with the Dairy Queen Home Opener on Friday, September 22nd when they welcome the Swift Current Broncos at the ENMAX Centre. Season Tickets and Sponsorship opportunities for the 2023-2024 campaign are available for purchase by calling 403-328-1986 or online at www.lethbridgehurricanes.com.
