Blades Add Two Players in CHL Import Draft

Published on June 28, 2018 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release

Saskatoon, SK - The Saskatoon Blades made two selections in the 2018 CHL Import Draft on Thursday morning.

The first player taken was 2001 born left-shot defenseman Emil Malysjev from Sweden. Malysjev is a dual citizen as his family is from Russia. Standing at 6'3" and 187lbs, Malysjev played last season with HV71 in the top Swedish junior league as a 16-year-old. Emil turned 17 in May and is already on the radar for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

"Emil is a big, mobile defender who played on a championship team with HV71 in the top Swedish junior league last season," said Blades General Manager Colin Priestner following the draft. "We spoke to several NHL teams about him and they all felt he was an excellent prospect for the 2019 NHL draft. He's a got a great first pass and is a strong, responsible defender."

In the second round the Blades selected 1999 born forward Kristian Roykas-Marthinsen from Norway. Roykas-Marthinsen, who stands at 6'0" tall and 186lbs, was drafted in the 7th round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. The speedy Norwegian put up 23 goals in 23 games last season in Sweden's top junior league and has represented his home country on the international stage for the past two seasons; once in the World U18 Championships where he posted eight points in five games, and then again this past season at the World Junior Division 1B tournament.

"Kristian is a bit under the radar because he's a Norwegian playing in Sweden, but he was drafted by Washington last year and speaking with their management they feel he is a great candidate to come to the CHL to continue his development," explained Priestner. "He is very quick, has an excellent shot, and he led his league in goal scoring this past season."

Roykas-Marthinsen is currently attending his second NHL development camp with the Washington Capitals where he will get an early introduction to one of his Blades' teammates, Eric Florchuk. Kristian will turn 19 in August.

Both Emil and Kristian are expected to report to Saskatoon for training camp which is scheduled for the end of August.

Recent import picks from the Blades:

2018: Malysjev (Sweden), Roykas-Marthinsen (Norway) 2017: none 2016: Mark Rubinchik (Russia) 2015: Libor Hájek (Czech Republic) 2014: Amil Krupic (Sweden), Nikita Soshnin (Russia) 2013: David Nemecek (Czech Republic), Nikita Scherbak (Russia)

Western Hockey League Stories from June 28, 2018

• Hitmen Announce Radio Broadcast Schedule - Calgary Hitmen
• Silvertips Select Forward Peter Melcher of Slovakia in the 2018 CHL Import Draft - Everett Silvertips
• T-Birds Select Andrej Kukuca and Simon Kubicek in CHL Import Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Rockets Select RD Lassi Thomson in CHL Import Draft - Kelowna Rockets
• Red Deer Rebels Take Two Players In CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
• CHL Import Draft Recap - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Kiviniemi and Pynnonen Selected by Broncos at 2018 CHL Import - Swift Current Broncos
• Blazers Select Martin Lang and Joonas Sillanpaa in 2018 CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
• Americans Select Krystof Hrabik in 2018 CHL Import Draft - Tri-City Americans
• WHL Clubs Select 31 Players from Nine Nations in 2018 CHL Import Draft - WHL
• Michael Dyck Named Head Coach of the Vancouver Giants - Vancouver Giants
• Red Deer Rebels Take Two Players in CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
• Wheat Kings Select Brannstrom, Patera in CHL Import Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Winterhawks Select Two Players in CHL Import Draft - Portland Winterhawks
• Blades Add Two Players in CHL Import Draft - Saskatoon Blades
• Pats Announce Hockey Operations Changes - Regina Pats
• Chiefs Select Russian Defenseman Yegor Arbuzov in CHL Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
• Oil Kings Select Alistrov Second Overall in 2018 CHL Import Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Warriors Complete CHL Import Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Cougars Select Czech Forward in CHL Import Draft - Prince George Cougars
• Hurricanes Select Goaltender, Defenseman in CHL Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Pats Take Sergei Alkhimov & Nikita Sedov in CHL Import Draft - Regina Pats
• Raiders Select Protas in CHL Import Draft - Prince Albert Raiders
• Royals Select Phillip Schultz in CHL Import Draft - Victoria Royals
• ICE Select Defenceman Valtteri Kakkonen in CHL Import Draft - Kootenay Ice
• Vancouver Giants to Pass on Both Selections in the 2018 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.

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