Edmonton Selects Kulda in 2012 CHL Import Draft

Published on June 27, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release

Edmonton, AB - The 2012 WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings are proud to announce the selection of forward Edgars Kulda from Belarus with the 38th overall pick in the 2012 CHL Import Draft. Edmonton traded their fifth round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam draft to Brandon for the 38th overall selection in the CHL Import Draft.

Kulda is a late 1994-born forward who will be eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft. He tallied 21 goals and 15 assists in 25 games with HK Juniors Riga in Latvia.

Kulda is a hard working player with elements of power already cultivated in his game. He has a good shot and shows strong offensive timing around the net away from the puck. He has some similarities to Oilers draft pick and Latvian forward Kristians Pelss.

Kulda hails from Belarus but has played for the U18 Latvian National team. Edgars is the younger brother of Winnipeg Jets prospect Arturs Kulda. Edmonton then traded the 60th overall pick to Seattle in exchange for their 10th round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.

Edmonton At The CHL Import Draft:

2012 - Edgars Kulda - Belarus (38th overall - traded from BDN)

2011 - Martin Gernat - Slovakia (18th overall - traded from KAM)

2010 - Marek Hrbas - Czech Republic (4th overall)

2010 - Kristians Pelss - Latvia (19th overall - traded from VIC)

2009 - No Pick

2008 - Robin Soudek - Czech Republic (12th overall)

2007 - Tomas Vincour - Czech Republic (1st overall)

Last season the London Knights used the first overall pick to select defenceman Olli Maatta who was recently chosen 22nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Maatta was one of four current CHL import players selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft headlined by Nail Yakupov who was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers after being the second overall selection of the Sarnia Sting in the 2010 CHL Import Draft. Mikhail Grigorenko of the Quebec Remparts was also selected in the first round at number 12 to the Buffalo Sabres, followed closely by Radek Faksa of the Kitchener Rangers who went at 13 to the Dallas Stars. Grigorenko was chosen second overall by the Remparts last season, with Faksa picked at number 22 by the Rangers the same season.

The 2012 CHL Import Draft can be followed online as well as on tablet and mobile devices at www.chlimportdraft.com.

Western Hockey League Stories from June 27, 2012

• Silvertips Announce Regular Season Schedule - Everett Silvertips
• Oil Kings Regular Season Schedule Announced - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Americans Announce 2012-13 Regular Season Schedule - Tri-City Americans
• Broncos Release 2012-13 Regular Season Schedule - Swift Current Broncos
• Everett Adds Soumelidis with 2nd Import Pick - Everett Silvertips
• Wheat Kings Unveil 2012-13 WHL Schedule - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Blazers Release 2012-13 Regular Season Schedule - Kamloops Blazers
• Royals Select Two Players in 2012 CHL Import Draft - Victoria Royals
• Winterhawks Announce 2012-13 Schedule - Portland Winterhawks
• Pats and WHL Release 2012-13 Schedule - Regina Pats
• Chiefs Announce 2012-13 Schedule - Spokane Chiefs
• Royals Announce 2012-13 Regular Season Schedule - Victoria Royals
• Raiders 2012-2013 Schedule Announced - Prince Albert Raiders
• Giants Release 2012-2013 Regular Season Schedule - Vancouver Giants
• T-Birds Announce 2012-13 Schedule - Seattle Thunderbirds
• 2012-2013 Season Schedule Announced - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Ice Release Regular Season Schedule - Kootenay Ice
• WHL Announces 2012-13 Regular Season Schedule - WHL
• Warriors Annual General Meeting Tuesday, July 17th at 7:00pm - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Rockets Select Swedish Forward in CHL Import Draft - Kelowna Rockets
• 2012 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft Results - WHL
• Liston Traded to Vancouver - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Giants Acquire Goaltender Liam Liston from Lethbridge - Vancouver Giants
• Chiefs Select Rimmel in Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
• CHL Import Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
• T-Birds Take Two Forwards in CHL Import Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Canucks Invite Dalton Sward to Prospects Camp - Vancouver Giants
• Tips Select Defenseman Müller in Import Draft - Everett Silvertips
• Winterhawks Select Oliver Bjorkstrand and Kirill Vorobyov in CHL Import Draft - Portland Winterhawks
• Cougars Draft Rinalds Rosinskis 65th Overall in 2012 CHL Import Draft - Prince George Cougars
• Giants Select LW Ales Kilnar in CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
• Oil Kings Sign Bertolucci - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Ice Select Two in CHL Import Draft - Kootenay Ice
• Hurricanes Select Blomqvist - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Edmonton Selects Kulda in 2012 CHL Import Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Wheat Kings Busy in Today's CHL Import Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Pats Select Emil Sylvegard in Import Draft - Regina Pats
• Broncos Select Laurikainen 20th Overall in Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
• Raiders Select Leon Draisaitl 2nd Overall - Prince Albert Raiders
• Cougars Select Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo Fifth Overall in 2012 CHL Import Draft - Prince George Cougars

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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