Rebels Select Czech Forward Drancak at CHL Import Draft
July 5, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Red Deer Rebels News Release
RED DEER - The Red Deer Rebels have selected Czech forward Samuel Drancak with the 54th overall selection at the 2023 CHL Import Draft.
With seven teams ahead of the Rebels passing on their selection, Drancak was the 47th player chosen in Wednesday's draft.
Drancak, who is 17, played last season with HC Motor Èeské Budìjovice in the Czech U17 league. He was the league's second leading scorer with 65 points in 34 games, including 17 goals and 48 assists. He also played nine games in 2022-23 at the U20 level, racking up 12 points, and suited up for two games with HC Motor Èeské Budìjovice in the Czech professional league.
The native of Strakonice, Czechia also played at last year's World U17 Hockey Challenge in Langley, BC.
"He was our target going into the draft. He's a good two-way player with skill. We're excited about him being a solid player for us in the WHL," says Rebels Associate General Manager Shaun Sutter.
Samuel Drancak
Birthdate: Feb 04, 2006
Strakonice, CZE
Position: C
Age: 17
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 179 lbs.
Shoots: L
Youth Team: HC Ceske Budejovice
Each team in the Canadian Hockey League is permitted to have two import players on their roster. Czech forward Frantisek Formanek, selected 14th overall by the Rebels at the 2021 CHL Import Draft, enters his third season with the club.
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