Americans Select Czech Center, Goaltender in 2023 CHL Import Draft
Published on July 5, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release
Kennewick, WA - The 2023 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft was held Wednesday morning, and the Tri-City Americans made two selections at 39th and 99th overall.
With their first pick the Americans drafted 2006-born center Maxmilian Curran. The Praha, Czechia native stands at 6-foot-3 and split the 2022-23 season between Czechia's U17 and U20 levels.
In 18 games at the U17 level Curran posted 37 points (15-22-37) with HC Slavia Praha U17. In 18 games with HC Slavia Praha's U20 team in Czechia's U20 2 league Curran added 27 points (9-18-27), leading all 2006-born players in the Czechia U20 2 league.
Curran also represented Czechia on the international stage at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge last season, picking up one assist in six games.
With the 99th overall pick the Americans drafted goaltender Lukas Matecha, a 2005-born Czechia native.
The 6-foot-3 Matecha spent 2022-23 with HC Dynamo Pardubice's U20 team, appearing in 32 games. He posted a 14-18 record with a .918 save percentage and a 2.54 goals against average.
The Americans would like to welcome Curran, Matecha and their families to the organization.
Season tickets are on sale now. For ticketing inquires contact the Americans office at 509-736-0606 or email us at info@amshockey.com.
Single game tickets will go on sale August 15 on Ticketmaster.com and at the Toyota Center Box Office.
Western Hockey League Stories from July 5, 2023
- Silvertips Select Julius Miettinen in CHL Import Draft - Everett Silvertips
- Wild Select Two in CHL Import Draft Wednesday - Wenatchee Wild
- Seven Winterhawks Prospects to Compete at U-16 Provincial Camps - Portland Winterhawks
- Clayton Johns Named to Team Canada Staff for Hlinka Gretzky Cup - Portland Winterhawks
- Mallette Named To Canada's Hlinka Gretzky Cup Staff - Kelowna Rockets
- Hitmen Select Defenceman Axel Hurtig in 2023 CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen
- WHL Clubs Select 28 Players from Nine Nations in 2023 CHL Import Draft - WHL
- Warriors Draft Tomasec and Kral in 2023 CHL Import Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Kamloops Blazers Select Two Defensemen in 2023 CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
- Tigers Select Latvian Defenceman & Czech Forward During 2023 CHL Import Draft - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Americans Select Czech Center, Goaltender in 2023 CHL Import Draft - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Select Forwards Kral, Ekstrom in 2023 CHL Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
- Broncos Select Petr Pavelec in 2023 CHL Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
- Pats Make Pair of Selections in 2023 CHL Import Draft - Regina Pats
- Blades Draft 6-Foot-2 Defender Barcik in 2023 CHL Import Draft - Saskatoon Blades
- Giants Select Czech Forward Titlbach in CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Wheat Kings Select Dominik Petr 18th Overall at Import Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Rockets Select St. Louis Blues Prospect in CHL Import Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Hurricanes Select Elias Knoester in Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Rebels Select Czech Forward Drancak at CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
- Royals Select Casper Haugen Evensen in 2023 CHL Import Draft - Victoria Royals
- Oil Kings Select Adam Jecho at 2023 CHL Import Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
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.
Other Recent Tri-City Americans Stories
- Preview: Americans at Thunderbirds - February 13, 2026
- Americans Alum Carey Price Named to CHL Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years List
- Carey Price Named to CHL Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years List
- Americans Blanked By Vees At Home
- Preview: Americans vs Vees - February 7, 2026
