Chiefs Select Austrian in Import Draft

June 30, 2004 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release

The Spokane Chiefs have selected forward Michael Grabner with the 22nd pick in this morning’s CHL Import Draft. The 5’11”, 170 pound forward from Villach, Austria will be eligible for the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Last season Grabner split 44 games between the Austrian junior and menÂ’s league and scored 59 goals and 85 points. While playing for Team Austria at the 2004 Under-18 Pool B Championships Grabner scored three goals and four points and was +3 in five games. Grabner played as an underage, that being a 16-year-old, for the Under-18 national team.

Grabner will take one of the two Import spots each CHL team is allowed to have, joining defenseman Gustav Engman on the Chiefs roster. Engman was SpokaneÂ’s first round selection last season and appeared in 58 games his rookie season in the WHL.

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Western Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2004

• Cougars 64th Selection - Prince George Cougars
• Cougars Land Belarus Defenseman - Prince George Cougars
• Cougars Move Up At Import Draft - Prince George Cougars
• Chiefs Select Austrian in Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
• Red Deer Rebels Select Roman Wick In The CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
• Silvertips select Hromas in first round of CHL import draft - Everett Silvertips
• Former Hitmen Captain Patrick Wellar Signs Contract with St. Loui s Blues - Calgary Hitmen
• Giants select netminder with second import pick - Vancouver Giants
• Winter Hawks Select Czech Republic Winger in Today's Import Draft - Portland Winterhawks
• Ams Pick in Import Draft - Tri-City Americans
• Ice Select Defenseman in CHL Import Draft - Kootenay Ice
• Five Blazers selected through seven rounds - Kamloops Blazers
• Blades begin CHL draft - Saskatoon Blades
• Wheaties draft two imports - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Hitmen Select Roman Tomanek fourth overall in CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen

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