Chiefs Make Two Picks in 2021 CHL Import Draft

June 30, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release

The Spokane Chiefs made two selections in the 2021 CHL Import Draft, picking defenseman Timofei Kovgorenya (2003) of Belarus with the 17th overall pick and forward Yannick Proske (2003) of Germany at 110th.

Timofei Kovgorenya

Kovgorenya, a 6-foot-3, 203-pound right shot defenseman from Minsk, posted seven goals and nine assists for 16 points in 26 games with the Minsk Bison of the Vysshaya Liga, Belarus' developmental league. Despite being just 17 years old, he also appeared in 17 games for the Dynamo Molodechno in the Extraleague, the top professional league in Belarus.

Unafraid to mix it up, the big blueliner picked up 108 PIM in two seasons with the Minsk Bison.

Yannick Proske

Proske is a 6-foot-2, 187-pound center from Weißwasser, Germany. Last season he played 25 games with the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), the top professional league in Germany.

He also wore an 'A' as an alternate captain for Team Germany at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship in Texas, scoring two points (1G-1A) in 7 games.

Kovgorenya and Proske are both the first players ever selected by the Chiefs from their respective countries.

The Chiefs will retain the rights to goaltender Lukas Parik (2001) and defenseman David Jiricek (2003) of the Czech Republic. Parik starred for the Chiefs during the 2019-20 season before the COVID-19 pandemic, playing the 2020-21 season on loan to the USHL. Jiricek was the Chiefs' first-round (54th overall) pick in the 2020 CHL Import Draft and stood out for the Czechs at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. Both are eligible to join the Chiefs for the 2021-22 season.

WHL clubs are allowed two import players on their roster and must be under the limit within 14 days of the team's first regular season game.

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The Chiefs' 2021-22 regular season will begin on Saturday, October 2 as they host the Tri-City Americans at Spokane Arena. Ticket packages for the 2021-22 season are available now! With options starting at just $80, there's an option to fit every budget and schedule.

Western Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2021

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• Chiefs Make Two Picks in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
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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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