Blazers Select Martin Lang and Joonas Sillanpaa in 2018 CHL Import Draft

Published on June 28, 2018 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release

Kamloops, BC - Kamloops Blazers General Manager Matt Bardsley has chosen 2001-born forward Martin Lang and 2001-born defenseman Joonas Sillanpaa in the 2018 CHL Import Draft.

Lang is a right shot forward from Rokycany, CZE that stands at 5'10" and 165lbs. He played this last season with HC Plzen U18 team and was their top scorer with 37 goals, 22 assists and 59 points in 35 games.

He also has international experience playing for the Czech Republic at U16 and U17 events over the past two seasons. At the 2017 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge, he had two goals and an assist in the tournament to help his team win a Bronze Medal.

"Martin is able to play the game with pace," commented Bardsley. "He has good puck skills and has shown the ability to finish at all levels which was evident as he was a key contributor to his Czech Republic U17 team at the World U17 Challenge."

Sillanpaa is from Finland and is a left shot defenseman that stands at 6'5" and 181lbs. He played this past season with HIFK U18 and U20 teams where he had two goals, six assists and eight points in 43 games. HIFK is a team based in Helsinki, Finland.

"Joonas is a big rangy defenseman who can contribute in all areas of the ice. He displays good offensive instincts along with good mobility while showing a willingness to engage physically."

"As an organization we are very excited to have been able to select Martin Lang and Joonas Sillanpaa. We feel both players will be great additions to our organization and look forward to helping them continue to develop their game."

Western Hockey League Stories from June 28, 2018

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• Kiviniemi and Pynnonen Selected by Broncos at 2018 CHL Import - Swift Current Broncos
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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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