Kamloops Blazers Select Two Defensemen in 2023 CHL Import Draft
July 5, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release
Kamloops, BC - The Kamloops Blazers have selected two defenseman in the CHL Import Draft.
In the first round, the Blazers selected 2005-born defenseman Matteo Koci. The 6'0" and 170lb defender from Karlovy Vary, Czechia played the 2022-23 season with the HC Energie Karlovy Vary U20 team. He had seven goals, 13 assists and 20 points in 36 games.
He also suited up for Czechia at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August 2022 where he had four points in five games. Most recently he competed with Czechia at the Under-18 World Championships.
In the second round, the Blazers selected 2005-born defenseman Vojtech Vochvest. The 5'11" and 180lb defender is also from Czechia and played with BK Mlada Boleslav U20 where he had a goal and five assists for six points in 52 games in the 2022-23 season.
Vochvest also played at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the Under-18 World Championships for Czechia this past season. He had one assist in five games at the World Championships.
"We would like to welcome Matteo and Vojtech and their families to the Kamloops Blazers organization," said General Manager / Head Coach, Shaun Clouston. "We look forward to them joining our hockey club."
Western Hockey League Stories from July 5, 2023
- Silvertips Select Julius Miettinen in CHL Import Draft - Everett Silvertips
- Wild Select Two in CHL Import Draft Wednesday - Wenatchee Wild
- Seven Winterhawks Prospects to Compete at U-16 Provincial Camps - Portland Winterhawks
- Clayton Johns Named to Team Canada Staff for Hlinka Gretzky Cup - Portland Winterhawks
- Mallette Named To Canada's Hlinka Gretzky Cup Staff - Kelowna Rockets
- 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
- Giants Select Czech Forward Titlbach in CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Wheat Kings Select Dominik Petr 18th Overall at Import Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Rockets Select St. Louis Blues Prospect in CHL Import Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Hurricanes Select Elias Knoester in Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- 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.
