Rockets Draft Czech Forward in CHL Import Draft

Published on July 2, 2014 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release

The Kelowna Rockets added a forward with size to its stable of prospects on Wednesday morning as the CHL held its annual draft of import players.

After putting up the most points in the CHL last season, the Rockets were slotted in to pick 60th out of the 60 teams across the CHL as teams in the WHL, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League alternated picks throughout the two round draft import draft.

Kelowna selected Tomas Soustal with pick number 60 in the draft, a 17-year-old forward from the Czech Republic. At 6-foot-3 and 198 pounds, Soustal will bring size and youth to the Rockets.

"He's a gifted player and he has size," said Rockets president/GM Bruce Hamilton. "I think it's important that we add size to our roster."

Rockets new head coach Dan Lambert has been in touch with Soustal, who will play for the Czech Republic in the Ivan Hlinka Under-18 hockey championships this summer before flying to Kelowna to take part in the Rockets training camp.

"He's a big kid with good hands and good shot," said Lambert. "He's a young guy at 17 so down the road he will be counted on to provide some offense."

The Rockets now have the maximum two imports as Swiss forward Kris Schmidli will also be back in Kelowna for training camp after completing his rookie season last year with the Rockets, putting up nine goals and 26 assists in 68 games played.

Western Hockey League Stories from July 2, 2014

• Rockets Draft Czech Forward in CHL Import Draft - Kelowna Rockets
• Everett Selects Zhebelev in CHL Import Draft - Everett Silvertips
• Americans' Sarthou Named to U.S. U-18 Select Team - Tri-City Americans
• Americans Draft Offense in 2014 CHL Import Draft - Tri-City Americans
• T-Birds Select Two Forwards in CHL Import Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Milekhin, Skumatov Selected in Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Hitmen Select Karnaukhov in 2014 CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen
• Rebels Take a Pair of Defencemen in the CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
• Spokane Adds Size, Strength with Hungarian Defenseman - Spokane Chiefs
• Pats Select Defenceman Sergey Zborovsky - Regina Pats
• Oil Kings Select Defenceman in Import Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Royals Select Kristian Ferletak in CHL Import Draft - Victoria Royals
• Blades Select Two Players at CHL Import Draft - Saskatoon Blades
• Blazers Select Michael Fora in CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
• Raiders Make Selection in CHL Import Draft - Prince Albert Raiders
• Broncos Select St. Louis Blues Prospect in CHL Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
• Oil Kings Re-Sign Training Staff - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Giants Select Vladimir Boby - Vancouver Giants
• Warriors Select Smejkal - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Blazers Select D Patrik Maier in CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
• Ice Select Forward in CHL Import Draft - Kootenay Ice

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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