CHL Import Draft 2006

 

Andris Jansons (HV)

 

The CHL’s annual import draft was held on June 28th and the Halifax Mooseheads chose Czech right-winger Jakub Voracek first overall. The 58 teams across the CHL which consists from Western, Ontario and Quebec leagues, each had the opportunity to select two non-North American players in the two round draft. Each team can have maximum of two Europeans on its active roster. There were total of five Latvian young players selected in this draft.

Toronto St. Michaels Majors selected Latvian forward Kaspars Daugavins with 3rd overall pick, and Latvian defenseman Kriss Grundmanis with 30th overall pick.

Daugavins, a 5’11”, 181 pound, forward from Latvia, last season played for his hometown team HK Riga 2000 in Latvian and Belarus Elite Leagues collecting 25 points (8+17). Daugavins also played for Team Latvia in three major international tournaments. First was World Junior Championships in Kelowna, Vancouver and Kamloops B.C., where he collected two assists in six games. Then he played for U-18 Latvian team in Division 1 World Championships which took place in Riga (Latvia), and finished with 9 points (5+4). And finally he had an official debut in Team Latvia in 2006 World Championships in Riga (Latvia). He showed great skill and passion playing against the world’s best, while notching one assist in three games.

Grundmanis, a 6’4”, 200 pounds, defenseman is 17 years old and played for Team Latvia in World Junior Championships too collecting one assist.

Guelph Storm selected Latvian forward Arturs Ozolinsh with 45th overall pick. 18 year old winger played for Team Latvia in Division 1 World Championships and finished with 12 points in 5 games.

Just after two more picks, Peterborough Petes selected Latvian defenseman Arturs Kulda with their 48th overall pick. Kulda played last season for CSKA2 Moscow. Kulda is notable physical presence at 6’2” and 194 pounds. Arturs played for Team Latvia in World Junior Championships finishing with one assist in six games, and for U18 Team Latvia in Division 1 World Championships collecting 3 points (1+2).

Kelowna Rockets decided to stick around with Latvians and selected with 61st overall pick, replacement for Latvian forward Lauris Darzins (who finished playing in Kelowna), another Latvian forward Kaspars Saulietis. He played last season for Latvia’s elite league team HK Riga 2000. He also played for Team Latvia in World Junior Championships collecting three assists in six games.

 

 

Attēlā: Arturs Kulda. © Normuns Brics (HV)