Chiefs Select Forwards Kral, Ekstrom in 2023 CHL Import Draft

Published on July 5, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release

Spokane, Wash. - The Spokane Chiefs selected Czech forward Lukas Kral with the sixth overall pick and Swedish forward Rasmus Ekstrom with the 66th overall pick in the 2023 CHL Import Draft Wednesday morning.

Kral, a 5-foot-11 winger, spent the 2022-23 season with Mountfield HK U20 where he posted 30 points on 13 goals and 17 assists in 45 games played. The 17-year-old also represented Czechia at the 2022 World U17 Hockey Challenge, tacking on two goals and three assists in six games.

"Kral is a goal-scoring winger who brings offensive danger every shift," Chiefs European Scout Janik Beichler said. "He combines very good skating and puck skills, and is able to make smart offensive plays consistently."

Ekstrom spent the 2022-23 season with Sodertalje SK J20 where he piled up 31 points in 39 games (15G-16A). Prior to that, the 2004-born forward played 39 games up with the J20 squad as a 17-year-old in the 2021-22 season and chipped in 11 goals and three assists, adding on another goal and an assist in three playoff games.

"Ekstrom is a smart two-way player with a strong shot," Beichler said. "He can play in all situations, at center and on the wing, and can contribute at both ends of the ice."

Both Kral and Ekstrom are eligible to join the Chiefs full-time for the 2023-24 season.

Last year's import player, Italian-born Tommaso De Luca, has signed a professional contract with HC Ambri-Piotta and has been placed on the Chiefs' Special Import List as WHL clubs are only allowed two import players on their roster. Spokane retains his CHL rights.

Western Hockey League Stories from July 5, 2023

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• 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
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• 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.

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