Raiders select Krzysztof Macias in first round of CHL Import Draft

The Prince Albert Raiders made their first of two selections of the 2023 CHL Import Draft on Wednesday, drafting 2004-born Polish forward Krzysztof Macias with the 15th overall pick.

“We’re adding a mature player, one who can play in all situations,” Raiders’ general manager Curtis Hunt said. “He’s a bigger, stronger guy. He’s a balanced scorer and he can play on both sides of the ice. We’re excited about that. I think he can add some scoring depth to our team, and we’re really excited to be adding him to the fold.”

Macias was born in Nowy Targ, Poland, but currently plays hockey in Czechia. The 19-year-old spent last season with HC Vitkovice U20, where he suited up in 44 games and tallied 52 points (28G-24A). During the 2021-22 season with the same team, Macias played in 48 games, scoring 14 times and picking up 22 helpers for 36 points.

He also represented Team Poland at the 2023 Division 1, Group B World Junior Championship, where he registered 10 points (7G-3A) in five games. In Poland’s final game of the tournament against Korea, he scored four goals while adding another three assists as part of an 11-2 win.

Macias spent the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season with HC Vitkovice U17, where he scored six times and picked up five assists in seven games.

In 2019-20 he played for HC Poruba U17. In 38 games he averaged nearly a point per game once again, finishing the campaign with 34 points (21G-13A).

After not making a selection in last year’s CHL Import Draft, Macias becomes the first European player drafted by the Raiders since Tikhon Chaika in 2021.