CHL Import Draft WHL Selections

WHL CLUBS SELECT 28 PLAYERS IN 2015 CHL IMPORT DRAFT

Calgary, AB - Western Hockey League Clubs selected 28 players as the 2015 CHL Import Draft was held on Tuesday, June 30. 

The two-round draft took place online with the order of selection rotating through each of the CHL’s three leagues using an inverse order of final regular season standings from the 2014-15 season.  All CHL Clubs are permitted to carry two European import players on their roster each season who are selected annually through the CHL Import Draft.

The Saskatoon Blades were the first WHL Club to make a selection, choosing Czech Republic defenceman Libor Hajek with the second overall pick. In 44 games with the Czech Republic’s HC Kometa Brno U20 Club, Hajek recorded one goal and nine assists to go along with a plus-eight rating. Hajek is eligible for the 2016 NHL Draft.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes selected Russian defenceman Egor Babenko with the fifth overall pick while the Vancouver Giants got Slovakian forward Radovan Bondra with the eighth overall selection.

All but one WHL Club selected at least one player in the 2015 CHL Import Draft. The Calgary Hitmen did not select a player in the draft.

2015 CHL Import Draft Results

ROUND 1

2. Saskatoon Blades: Libor Hajek D; Czech Republic; February 4, 1998
5. Lethbridge Hurricanes: Egor Babenko F; Russia; February 5, 1997
8. Vancouver Giants: Radovan Bondra RW; Slovakia; January 27, 1997
11. Kamloops Blazers: Ondrej Vala D; Czech Republic; April 13, 1998
14. Tri-City Americans: Juuso Valimaki D; Finland; October 6, 1998
17. Prince Albert Raiders: Vojtech Budik D; Czech Republic; January 29, 1998
20. Prince George Cougars: Bartek Bison LW; Netherlands; March 26, 1998
23. Moose Jaw Warriors: Nikita A. Popugaev LW; Russia; November 20, 1998
26. Spokane Chiefs: Niklas Andersen C; Denmark; November 20, 1997
29. Swift Current Broncos: Artyom Minulin D; Russia; October 1, 1998
32. Edmonton Oil Kings: Anatolil Elizarov D; Russia; June 14, 1998
35. Kootenay ICE: Roman Dymacek LW; Czech Republic; January 6, 1997
38. Victoria Royals: Vladimir Bobylyov LW; Russia; April 18, 1997
41. Regina Pats: Nikolay Knyzhov D; Russia; March 20, 1998
44. Seattle Thunderbirds: Gustav Olhaver C; Sweden; July 3, 1997
47. Red Deer Rebels: Michael Spacek RW; Czech Republic; April 9, 1997
50. Portland Winterhawks: Rodrigo Abols C; Latvia; January 5, 1996
53. Medicine Hat Tigers: Alexei Platonov D; Russia; January 20, 1997
55. Everett Silvertips: Alexander Scherbakov D; Russia; December 24, 1998
57. Calgary Hitmen: PASS
59. Kelowna Rockets: Calvin Thurkauf LW; Switzerland/Canada; June 27, 1997
60. Brandon Wheat Kings: Oliver Kylington D; Sweden/Eritrea; May 19, 1997

ROUND 2

65. Lethbridge Hurricanes: Igor Merezhko D; Ukraine; April 30, 1998
80. Prince George Cougars: Luka Zorko D; Slovenia; February 27, 1997
92. Edmonton Oil Kings: Dario Meyer RW; Switzerland; November 20, 1996
95. Kootenay ICE: Mario Grman D; Slovakia; April 11, 1997
110. Portland Winterhawks: Carl Ericson C; Sweden; September 11, 1996
115. Everett Silvertips: Ian Khomenko LW; Russia; March 31, 1998
120. Brandon Wheat Kings: Dario Winkler C; Austria; May 18, 1997