2018 CHL Import Draft

[SensArmy93]

Some names going early in the CHL Import Draft today. Teams are allowed to draft goalies again for the first time since 2013:

1. Saint John Sea Dogs - Maxim Cajkovic (2019)

3. Sudbury Wolves - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF)

4. Shawinigan Cataractes - Valentin Nussbaumer (2019)

9. Peterborough Petes - Liam Kirk (ARZ)

44. Brandon Wheat Kings - Erik Brannstrom (VGK)

48. Barrie Colts - Maksim Zhukov (VGK)

There has probably been some names I've missed, but you can follow along here: http://chl.ca/draft

[PenguinHunter]

Some names going early in the CHL Import Draft today. Teams are allowed to draft goalies again for the first time since 2013:

1. Saint John Sea Dogs - Maxim Cajkovic (2019)

3. Subbury Wolves - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (BUF)

4. Shawinigan Cataractes - Valentin Nussbaumer (2019)

9. Peterborough Petes - Liam Kirk (ARZ)

44. Brandon Wheat Kings - Erik Brannstrom (VGK)

48. Barrie Colts - Maksim Zhukov (VGK)

There has probably been some names I've missed, but you can follow along here: http://chl.ca/draft

This is exciting, hopefully he comes over and plays for the Wheaties!

[Dennis]

I would think he'd much rather play in Chicago.

[SensArmy93]

This is exciting, hopefully he comes over and plays for the Wheaties!

It's always so hard to tell what's going to happen with the CHL Import Draft. Most teams take players they know will come over because of prior agreements or because of relationships.

Brandon and Vegas have the Kelly McCrimmon relationship so who knows what could happen here.

[butch]

who owns bode wilde's chl rights ?

[SensArmy93]

who owns bode wilde's chl rights ?

Saginaw drafted him 2nd round in 2016

[Jouko-Pouko]

who owns bode wilde's chl rights ?

Great question because he's very likely to play junior hockey next season. I believe his grades weren't good enough for college. And I don't see him being ready for pro hockey.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Both Maxim Cajkovic (#1 to Saint John) and Vladimir Alistrov (#2 to Edmonton) will be very interesting prospects to watch next season.

Valentin Nussbaumer (#4 to Shawinigan) to a lesser extent as well but he's a bit older, so feels like we have a better handle on him already.

[Jouko-Pouko]

I have no idea why Luukkonen and Brannstrom were drafted. Going back to play junior hockey would be a step backwards for them. I don't see either one going there.

[SensArmy93]

Both Maxim Cajkovic (#1 to Saint John) and Vladimir Alistrov (#2 to Edmonton) will be very interesting prospects to watch next season.

Valentin Nussbaumer (#4 to Shawinigan) to a lesser extent as well but he's a bit older, so feels like we have a better handle on him already.

Any other names to keep an eye on JP? Alistrov is not one I've heard of but he certainly looks interesting.

Nussbaumer I remember from the WJC's but haven't looked into him too much.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Any other names to keep an eye on JP? Alistrov is not one I've heard of but he certainly looks interesting.

Nussbaumer I remember from the WJC's but haven't looked into him too much.

Marco Rossi is one to keep an eye on for the 2020 NHL draft.

Cajkovic's linemates from the U18s (Okuliar and Kovacik) somehow went undrafted, so perhaps they want more exposure in Canadian junior hockey.

A lot of Russian players were drafted but I'm not yet familiar with them.

[SensArmy93]

Marco Rossi is one to keep an eye on for the 2020 NHL draft.

Cajkovic's linemates from the U18s (Okuliar and Kovacik) somehow went undrafted, so perhaps they want more exposure in Canadian junior hockey.

A lot of Russian players were drafted but I'm not yet familiar with them.

Thanks JP!

Another name I noticed was Nando Eggenberger going to the Gens. Oshawa players always interest me because I was an intern there lol. I know you mentioned him yesterday in your Prospect Ramblings and that there's not much offense there, but do you think coming to the OHL could help that a bit?

[Jouko-Pouko]

Thanks JP!

Another name I noticed was Nando Eggenberger going to the Gens. Oshawa players always interest me because I was an intern there lol. I know you mentioned him yesterday in your Prospect Ramblings and that there's not much offense there, but do you think coming to the OHL could help that a bit?

Yes, he could be a very good offensive player in the OHL. Maybe he decides to go there for more exposure and for more offensive opportunities. I mean, he's a 1999-born kid, so even those who don't have much offensive upside for the NHL can dominate in junior hockey because most players are younger than them. If he was a Canadian kid, it would be his fourth season there already, so that's why I wouldn't get overly excited about his future even if that happened.

[Jouko-Pouko]

A couple of tweets about Marco Rossi who I mentioned above:

Dennis Schellenberg @ScoutingFactory

Re @Ottawa67sHockey new prospect Marco Rossi: Yes, I see him as a lock in the 1st round in 2020, probably he's even going to be a top 10 guy #CHLImportDraft

Steven Ellis @StevenEllisNHL

Marco Rossi has the potential to be the best Austrian player ever. He was a point per game player for Austria at the Division IA World Juniors this year... yet he was three years younger than the oldest (and typically better) competition. Very fast and a great puckhandler.

The 2020 NHL draft is still a long way out but Rossi will be an interesting player to watch in the OHL nevertheless.

[PenguinHunter]

I have no idea why Luukkonen and Brannstrom were drafted. Going back to play junior hockey would be a step backwards for them. I don't see either one going there.

Kelly McCrimmon trying to get Brannstrom used to North American sized ice and using it to make his team back in Brandon better?