Hurricanes Select Blomqvist
Published on June 27, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Lethbridge Hurricanes News Release
Lethbridge, AB - The Lethbridge Hurricanes are proud to announce the selection of Swedish Right Winger Axel Blomqvist in the first round (17th overall) of the 2012 CHL Import Draft. The 1995-born Blomqvist is 6'5, 194 lbs. and spent this past season with Rogle J18 (both the J18 Elit and J18 Allsvenskan teams.) In 38 games between the two, he registered 46 points (27G, 19A.) and his 31 points on the J18 Elit team were second in team scoring. Axel is the younger brother of Hurricanes defenseman Albin Blomqvist and Anton Blomqvist who was a 2009 NHL Draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
On drafting Blomqvist, Hurricanes GM and Head Coach Rich Preston stated "There are five brothers in the family and talking to his brother (Albin) he said he's definitely the best player. They're a very close family, they wanted to play together and just knowing what we know about Albin - his character and toughness, takes pride in his defence, he's a physical player - we're getting the same type player in Axel as a forward and he's a great skater for his size" Preston went on to say "I think the big thing is they really wanted to play together and that's nice because his brother's been here, he can tell him what to expect and make the transition easier."
Each team in the CHL is permitted to carry two European Import players each season. These players are selected annually at the Import Draft, with the selection order rotating through the Quebec, Ontario and Western Hockey League's using an inverse order of their final regular season standings from the 2011-2012 season.
To start, Sherbrooke had sent the first overall pick to Moncton and the Wildcats selected forward Ivan Barbashev of Russia. The second overall pick was held by the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders and they drafted forward Leon Draisaitl of Germany. The third overall pick went to Erie and they drafted Swedish goalie Oscar Dansk.
In the CHL Import Draft last year, the Barrie Colts had the first overall pick which was traded to London. The Knights took Defenceman Olli Maatta of Finland. The WHL's Calgary Hitmen drafted 3rd overall and they selected Centre Victor Rask of Sweden.
The 2012 CHL Import Draft summary can be found 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
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