WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

CHL Import Draft Set For Thursday

June 25, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba - The Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings continue preparations for the 2008 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, scheduled for Thursday.

The Wheat Kings will have two first round selections, thanks to a recent deal with Moose Jaw. In addition to the 39th overall pick, Brandon will select 33rd overall. In exchange for the Warriors' first round pick, the Wheat Kings gave up their first round selection in 2009.

Since Brandon's import this past year - left-winger Daniel Bartek - is a 20-year old, the Wheat Kings are permitted to choose two players in Thursday's draft. CHL clubs are permitted to carry a maximum of three overage players and two imports.

Bartek is one of five 20-year olds eligible to return for the 2008-09 campaign. The others are Andrew Clark, Matt Lowry, Chad Erb and Matt McCue.

Among Brandon's former first round import draft selections include Juraj Simek (2006), John Wikner (2005), Sami Sandell (2004) and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (2002).

Last year's first round pick was Russian blueliner Nikolai Lukyanchikov, who elected not to come to Canada.

Thursday's CHL draft gets underway at 9 a.m. with the Ontario Hockey League's Sudbury Wolves owning the first overall pick. Quebec's Drummondville is second, followed by the WHL's Portland Winter Hawks.

In other Wheat Kings' related news, former defenceman Theran Yeo has announced plans to join the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds for the 2008-09 campaign. The Prince Albert product had 18 points in 47 games for the Wheat Kings last winter.

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Western Hockey League Stories from June 25, 2008


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