The Victoria Royals made two selections in the 2012 Euro Draft, taking a netminder 14th overall from the Czech Republic, and drafting a 6'2 defenseman 74th overall from Sweden.
Royals President/Alt Governor Dave Dakers on making their first pick Polivka, Patrik:
Dave Dakers on their 2nd round pick, Bengtsson, Rasmus 74th overall:
74 Bengtsson, Rasmus LD Landskrona, Swe May 14/93 6.02 192 Muskegon Lumberjacks
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| Rasmus Bengtsson |
Dakers comments on how these selections will affect their current roster:
Press Release:
ROYALS SELECT TWO PLAYERS IN 2012 CHL IMPORT DRAFT
Victoria selects a Czech goaltender and an NHL drafted Swedish
defenceman.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The Victoria
Royals are proud to announce that they have selected goaltender Patrik Polivka
out of the Czech Republic as well as Swedish defenceman Rasmus Bengtsson in
today’s 2012 Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft.
The Royals took the 6’0”, 168lb goaltender with the 14th
overall pick in the annual draft which includes all three leagues (Ontario
Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League) in
the CHL.
The Plzen,
Czech Republic native started 31 games for the HC Plzen U20 team, posting a
.917 save percentage to go along with a 3.20 goals against average. Polivka
recorded a shutout in his only game with the HC Plzen U18 team and also
represented the Czech Republic in international competition as a member of both
the country’s U18 and U19 teams last season.
The 2010-11 season saw Polivka record a .922 save
percentage and a 2.65 goals against average in 27 games for HC Plzen’s U18
team. The 18-year-old was also a member of the Czech Republic U17 team in
2010-11, competing in two games and posting a 2.79 goals against average in
those contests.
Polivka spent the majority of the 2009-10 season with
HC Plzen’s U18 squad, appearing in 34 games to record a 2.90 goals against
average and .913 save percentage while also helping Plzen’s U16 squad to a
league championship. That season, he represented the Czech Republic once again,
suiting up for three games with the national U16 team.
The Royals then selected Landskrona, Sweden native and
defenceman Rasmus Bengtsson in the second round with the 74th
overall pick. Bengtsson, chosen by the Florida Panthers in the 2011 National
Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft with the 59th overall pick, spent
the majority of last season as a member of the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the
United States Hockey League (USHL).
With Muskegon, the 6’2”, 196lb defenceman notched 10
points (3g-7a) over 34 games played. Bengtsson also played 18 games in the
2011-12 season for Rogle of the Allsvenskan league, compiling three assists
through 18 games. Prior to being promoted to the Allsvenskan league, he was a
member of Rogle’s J20 team where he recorded 11 points (3g-8a) in 15 games
played. Bengtsson was also named to the national junior team last season,
playing five games for Team Sweden.
In the 2010-11 season, Bengtsson suited up for 45
games with Rogle, amassing nine points (2g-7a) in 45 games played while also
competing in 17 games for Rogle’s J20 team. Internationally, Bengtsson
represented Sweden as a member of the country’s U18 roster. The defenceman
recorded four assists in six games at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
and 12 points (3g-9a) in 19 additional games of international competition.
The 19-year-old Florida draftee spent the bulk of
2009-10 with Rogle’s J20 team, competing in 42 games and recording 23 points
(3g-20a). Bengtsson represented Sweden as a member of the U17 roster, logging
six games at the World U17 Hockey Championship where he netted three points
(1g-2a).
