Oil Kings Select Artyom Baltruk in CHL Import Draft

June 28, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release

EDMONTON, ALTA. - The Edmonton Oil Kings added a big forward in the CHL Import Draft Tuesday, selecting Belarus centre Artyom Baltruk.

Baltruk is a 6'2, 190-pound product of Belarus who played 28 games last season for Dinamo- Raubichi in the Belarus2 League. The 17-year-old put up five goals with seven assists and 22 penalty minutes over that span. In 12 playoff games, Baltruk had a pair of goals and a helper as well.

Baltruk also represented the Belarus '99 Team at the 2016 Mac's AAA Midget Hockey Tournament where he collected two goals (one of the a game-winning goal) and an assist over five games.

"We are very pleased to have selected Artyom," said Oil Kings General Manager Randy Hansch. "He has good size and a right shot which we were looking for along with the ability to play centre or the wing, plus his age will fit well with our program. As a staff we were able to have viewings of Artyom at the Mac's AAA Midget Tournament last year where he adapted well against some strong competition. We are looking forward to having Artyom join the Edmonton Oil Kings."

Baltruk will be eligible for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and through a translator in Belarus said, "I am overwhelmed with emotions and am ready to play in North America and will work hard."

Western Hockey League Stories from June 28, 2016

• Silvertips Select Right Wingers Eetu Tuulola of Finland and Mario Mucka of Slovakia in CHL Import Dr - Everett Silvertips
• Kubic to Attend Canucks Prospects Camp - Vancouver Giants
• T-Birds Select Sami Moilanen in CHL Import Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Oil Kings Select Artyom Baltruk in CHL Import Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Hitmen Select Two Players In 2016 CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen
• Spokane Takes Pair of Czech Teammates in CHL Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
• WHL Clubs Select 24 Players in 2016 CHL Import Draft - WHL
• Winterhawks Select Two Players in CHL Import Draft - Portland Winterhawks
• Red Deer Rebels Take Alexander Alexeyev In CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
• Pats Select Filip AHL in CHL Import Draft - Regina Pats
• Cougars Select Swedish Forward Axel Jonsson-Fjallby 28th Overall in the 2016 CHL Import Draft - Prince George Cougars
• Blazers Select Rudolfs Balcers in CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
• Ice Select Two Russians in CHL Import Draft - Kootenay Ice
• Americans Announce 2016-17 Regular Season Schedule - Tri-City Americans
• Warriors Select Zaitsev 33rd Overall - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Blades Land Russian D-man - Saskatoon Blades
• Giants Take Zadina in CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants

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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