CHL IMPORT DRAFT: Tips Will Select with 1st WHL Pick
Silvertips Win First WHL Pick in Lottery for the 2021 CHL Import Draft
EVERETT, Wash. – The Everett Silvertips, eight-time U.S. Division champions and two-time Western Conference champions of the Western Hockey League, have earned the first selection of WHL teams in the upcoming 2021 CHL Import Draft, held in a virtual format on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. PT.
With the first selection of WHL teams in the draft, organized for WHL, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams to select eligible players from counties outside the United States and Canada, the Silvertips will be guaranteed to select no lower than third overall.
The CHL will announce the full order of selection soon, a “snake” format which will reverse the original order in the second round. All 22 WHL clubs were guaranteed an equal opportunity to win the lottery, conducted as a result of the unique schedule of games across the league during the 2020-21 WHL regular season.
Over the last 29 years, nearly 340 players have been selected in the CHL Import Draft and advanced to suit up in the National Hockey League. Notables selected in the draft, now in the NHL include 2020 Hart and Art Ross Trophy winner Leon Draisaitl (2012), Rocket Richard Trophy winner David Pastrnak (2014), two-time Stanley Cup winning defenseman Olli Maatta (2011), All-Star and New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier (2016), Carolina Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov (2017), Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner (2009), and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (2018).
The Silvertips have helped advance the careers of 20 players – including Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas (Czech Republic) – to suit up in the NHL since their inaugural season in 2003-04.
The Silvertips currently have center Michal Gut (Czech Republic) on their protected list, who earned the Silvertips Rookie of the Year award in 2019-20 and suited up this season on loan to HC Banik Sokolov due to border issues related to the coronavirus pandemic. His Silvertips teammate in 2019-20, defenseman Kasper Puutio (Finland), signed a two-year contract with KalPa Kuopio of the Finnish Elite League on May 3. Each team in the CHL is permitted to dress and play a maximum of two import players each season.
WHL Clubs Order of Selection – 2021 CHL Import Draft
1. Everett Silvertips
2. Swift Current Broncos
3. Vancouver Giants
4. Lethbridge Hurricanes
5. Red Deer Rebels
6. Spokane Chiefs
7. Saskatoon Blades
8. Prince George Cougars
9. Portland Winterhawks
10. Brandon Wheat Kings
11. Regina Pats
12. Calgary Hitmen
13. Kamloops Blazers
14. Seattle Thunderbirds
15. Kelowna Rockets
16. Edmonton Oil Kings
17. Moose Jaw Warriors
18. Prince Albert Raiders
19. Medicine Hat Tigers
20. Tri-City Americans
21. Winnipeg ICE
22. Victoria Royals
ABOUT THE SILVERTIPS AND THE NHL
A total of 20 players have suited up in an Everett Silvertips jersey and advanced to play in the National Hockey League, since the Silvertips joined the WHL in 2003-04. Entering this season, the Silvertips have elevated 27 players to be selected by teams in the NHL Entry Draft, including eight over the previous three seasons, while 11 Silvertips have signed three-year, NHL entry level or AHL contracts since 2018. The Seattle Kraken, an expansion franchise scheduled to play 30 miles away from Everett at Climate Pledge Arena, will make their NHL debut in the 2021-22 season.
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