Pats Select Blidstrand

Published on June 29, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release

Regina, Saskatchewan - The Regina Pats are proud to announce the selection of Swedish defenceman Ricard Blidstrand with the 46th pick in 2010 CHL Import Draft. The Pats moved up in the draft by sending 6th round 2012 WHL Bantam Draft pick to the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for the 46th overall pick.

Blidstrand, who hails from Stockholm, Sweden was a 7th round pick, 216th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the recent 2010 NHL Entry Draft. With AIK J20 in Sweden this past season, the big defenceman had 2 goals and 6 assists in 33 games. He also played for Sweden at this past spring's U-18 World Championships in Belarus.

D - Ricard Blidstrand

Shoots: Left

Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden

Born: April 20/92

6'2" 205lbs.

Draft: 7th Round, 206 overall Philadelphia Flyers

2009-10 AIK J20 GP-33 G-2 A-6 Pts-8 PIM-4

Regina Pats General Manager, Chad Lang, "Blidstrand is a big, solid stay at home defenceman who has a great first pass and will adapt well to the North American game. He also gives us some depth at defence and fills a hole we have in the 1992 age group. We welcome Ricard to the Pats family and can't wait to see him at training camp in August."

Blidstrand joins fellow Swede, Hampus Gustafsson as the 2 Pats import players. This is the first time in franchise history that 2 players from Sweden will play for the blue and white in the same season.

To see Blidstrand, Gustafsson and the rest of the Regina Pats for the upcoming 2010-11 season, purchase your season tickets now. Adult prices begin at just $199, which averages out to just over $5 per game! For more information, call 522-PATS, click on www.reginapats.com, or head to the Pats office located in the west entrance of the Brandt Centre.

Western Hockey League Stories from June 29, 2010

• Americans Get Defensive in 2010 CHL Import Draft - Tri-City Americans
• Calgary Hitmen Select a Right Winger and Goaltender in 2010 CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen
• Wheat Kings Choose Danish Winger - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Hurricanes Select Kuvaev in Second Round of 2010 CHL Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Broncos Select Roznik at CHL Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
• Rockets Make 2nd Import Pick - Kelowna Rockets
• Chiefs Select Kalus in Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
• Pats Select Blidstrand - Regina Pats
• Hurricanes Trade 1st Round Pick in 2010 CHL Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• T-Birds Select Center/Right Wing in First Round of Import Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Oil Kings Busy In First Round Of 2010 Import Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Rockets Select Norwegian in WHL Import Draft - Kelowna Rockets
• Broncos Select Nedomlel in CHL Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
• Hlinka Headed to the Friendly City - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Blazers Select Keil 22nd Overall in the CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
• Raiders Trade CHL Import Pick - Prince Albert Raiders
• Red Deer Rebels Trade CHL Import Draft Selection To Seattle - Red Deer Rebels
• Winterhawks Select Sven Bartschi in CHL Import Draft - Portland Winterhawks
• Ice Pass On CHL Import Draft - Kootenay Ice
• Cougars Select 18-Year Old Defenceman Martin Marincin First Overall In 2010 CHL Import Draft - Prince George Cougars

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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