Majors Look to Latvia in Import Draft

June 28, 2006 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Mississauga St. Michael's Majors News Release

Toronto, Ont. (June 28, 2006) - The Canadian Hockey League held its 2006 Import Draft today with all member teams given the opportunity, barring trades, to select two non-North American players. The Majors possessed the 3rd and 30th overall picks, due to yesterday's trade with Sarnia and their regular season finish this past year, respectively. With those two slots, they were able to snag Latvian forward Kaspars Daugavins and Latvian defenceman Kriss Grundmanis.

Daugavins, a 6'0", 195 lb. left winger played for Latvia's HC Riga last year, where he compiled 34 points and 24 penalty minutes in 53 games. He also represented Team Latvia at the 2006 World Junior Hockey Championship in Vancouver, notching 2 points in 6 games. He was a 3rd round pick of the Ottawa Senators in last weekend's NHL Entry Draft.

Grundmanis, a 6'4", 200 lb. defenceman is, at 17 years old, a year younger than Daugavins. However, he was also able to represent Team Latvia at 2006 World Junior Hockey Championship and was the youngest member of the club. He collected 1 assist and 10 penalty minutes at the event. He will be eligible for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 28, 2006

• Knights draft Adam Hasani - London Knights
• 67's Solidify Goaltending With Import Draft - Ottawa 67's
• Spirit Select New Prospects in the CHL Import Draft - Saginaw Spirit
• Colts Trade 2006 Import Pick - Barrie Colts
• Whalers Select Caps' Goaltender, Slovakian Defenseman in Import Draft - Plymouth Whalers
• Majors Look to Latvia in Import Draft - Mississauga St. Michael's Majors
• Spirit Select New Prospects in the CHL Import Draft - Saginaw Spirit
• Ottawa 67's Select Swiss Goaltender in Import Draft - Ottawa 67's
• Generals Announce European Import Draft Selection - Oshawa Generals
• Rangers Select Yannick Weber In CHL Import Draft - Kitchener Rangers
• Otters select Czech forward - Erie Otters
• Owen Sound Attack Drafts Tomas Kana in CHL Import Draft - Owen Sound Attack

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