Blades Add Two European Forwards in 2021 CHL Import Draft
June 30, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
SASKATOON, SK - The Saskatoon Blades bulked up their forward lines on Wednesday morning, making two selections in the 2021 CHL Import Draft.
With the 20th overall selection, Saskatoon picked 2004-born forward Yegor Sidorov. Hailing from Vitebsk, Belarus, Sidorov spent last season playing and training with his country's national U17 and U18 development program. The 5-foot-10, 154-pound Sidorov dressed in 24 games as an underage player with Belarus's U18 squad, chalking up 14 points (7G-7A) along with 10 penalty minutes.
Last month, Sidorov joined Team Belarus as an underage forward at the U18 World Hockey Championships, where he led the team with five assists in five games, and finished tied for 2nd in team scoring.
"Head coach Mitch Love and director of scouting Dan Tencer both had a chance to see this young man in person in Dallas at the World U-18 Hockey Championships, where he really turned heads getting a point per game as an underage player," stated Blades GM Colin Priestner. "He has a really advanced offensive mind for the game and he's able to make plays at a quick pace."
"We're very excited to have him on our roster this year and we believe he has a very bright future with us going into his NHL draft year," added Priestner.
With the 107th overall selection, the Blades drafted 2004-born centerman Moritz Elias of Germany. In a COVID-rendered 2020-21 season, the 5-foot-7, 161-pound forward was loaned to the Nurnberg Ice Tigers of the DEL - Germany's top professional league. He picked up two points (1G-1A) in 16 games.
"Moritz will be a fan-favourite from the first day onward," exclaimed Priestner. "He is shorter in stature but he plays like a bulldog with a really strong build. He has the speed, skill and hockey IQ to be a dynamic player for us. He is one of the youngest forwards to ever score a goal in the DEL as a 16-year old, and he has all the tools to be a big-time player for us. We're excited to continue the discussions with him and his family leading into the fall about his future with our team."
Prior to last season, the Augsburg, Germany native played two seasons for Jungadler Mannheim in Germany's U17 league, combining for 106 points (54G-52A) in 63 games. He has also represented his country internationally on several occasions, including scoring seven points (4G-3A) in 9 games at the U16 World Championships in 2019. Elias also laced up with Germany's national team at the 2019 World U17 Hockey Challenge.
These two selections are the first of their kind in the Blades franchise history. Never before has the team chosen a Belarusian player, or German player, since the CHL Import Draft was introduced in 1992. Both players are eligible to be selected in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Although the Blades have added two European players to the mold, the team still retains the rights to 2020 selection Brad Lambert of Finland. All three are eligible to compete for a roster spot in training camp this fall.
The Blades are thrilled to welcome Yegor and Moritz to the organization, and are excited to have the opportunity to introduce both players to the community.
Previous import picks:
2020: F Brad Lambert (Finland)
2019: D Libor Zabransky (Czech Republic), D Radek Kucerik (Czech Republic)
2018: D Emil Malysjev (Sweden), F Kristian Roykas Marthinsen (Norway)
2017: No selections
2016: D Mark Rubinchik (Slovakia)
Season ticket renewals along with new memberships for the 2021-22 regular season are now on sale for as low as $17 per game for adults, and $5 for children. The Blades have also extended its Early Bird deadline until July 16th, giving fans the chance to save some extra money this summer as anticipation builds for our return to the ice. Fans are encouraged to contact the Saskatoon Blades front office by calling or texting (306) 975-8844, or by emailing info@saskatoonblades.com for more information. We are thrilled to bring our passionate fanbase back into SaskTel Centre in a safe, healthy environment for all.
Western Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2021
- Silvertips Select RW Niko Huuhtanen of Finland, Second Overall in the 2021 CHL Import Draft - Everett Silvertips
- Kamloops Blazers Statement on President & COO, Don Moores - Kamloops Blazers
- Blades Add Two European Forwards in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Saskatoon Blades
- Bocharov to Represent USA at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup - Saskatoon Blades
- Americans Select Moravec in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Tri-City Americans
- Hitmen Select Two Players in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen
- WHL Clubs Select 32 Players from 12 Countries in 2021 CHL Import Draft - WHL
- Cougars Select Two Players in CHL Import Draft - Prince George Cougars
- T-Birds Select Alessandro Segafredo and Leon Okonkwo Prada in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Broncos Add Forward and Defenceman in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
- Tigers Select Two in 2021 Import Draft - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Rebels' Import Draft Selection Has Excelled While Competing against Older Players - Red Deer Rebels
- Chiefs Make Two Picks in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
- Mallette Inks Extension - Kelowna Rockets
- Victoria Royals Select Sebastian Wraneschitz in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Victoria Royals
- Hurricanes Select Pair of Forwards in CHL Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Winnipeg ICE Bolster Defence in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Winnipeg Ice
- Wheat Kings Select Forward from Belarus - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Roman Makarov Selected by Blazers in CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
- Rebels Select Frantisek Formanek in Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
- Pats Pick Kemell 32nd in CHL Import Draft, Suzdalev 95th Overall - Regina Pats
- Rockets Select Szturc In Import Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Warriors Select Robert Baco in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Winterhawks Select Defenseman Marek Alscher in CHL Import Draft - Portland Winterhawks
- Oil Kings Select Jakub Demek in CHL Import Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Giants Select Golden Knights Prospect Jesper Vikman in the 2021 CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
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.
