Rockets Import Draft a 1st Rounder in NHL Draft

June 23, 2012 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kelowna Rockets News Release

Not only did the Kelowna Rockets have three of its current players drafted at this weekend's NHL Entry Draft, one of the Rockets European import selections was also drafted.

Latvian star Zemgus Girgensons was drafted 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres.

The Rockets have the CHL rights to Girgensons after Kelowna selected him in the 2011 CHL import draft with the 45th overall selection.

Girgensons was the assistant captain for Team Latvia at the World Junior Hockey Championships last season.

Other Rockets to be chosen in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft were Colton Sissons (Nashville, 2nd round), Damon Severson (New Jersey, 2nd round) and newly acquired Ryan Olsen (Winnipeg, 6th round).

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Western Hockey League Stories from June 23, 2012

• Three Calgary Hitmen Taken in 2012 NHL Entry Draft - Calgary Hitmen
• Rockets Import Draft a 1st Rounder in NHL Draft - Kelowna Rockets
• Troock Selected by Dallas at 2012 NHL Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Three Oil Kings Selected in 2012 NHL Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
• 2012 NHL Entry Draft Recap - Regina Pats
• Two Giants Selected in 2012 NHL Draft - Vancouver Giants
• 32 WHL Players Selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft - WHL
• Colin Smith Selected by Colorado Avalanche - Kamloops Blazers
• Third Rockets Player Selected in NHL Draft - Kelowna Rockets
• Brendan Leipsic and Taylor Leier Selected in NHL Entry Draft - Portland Winterhawks
• Gordon Selected 165th Overall by Calgary Flames - Swift Current Broncos
• Black Selected 135th Overall by New Jersey Devils - Swift Current Broncos
• Royals' Logan Nelson Selected by Buffalo in 2012 - Victoria Royals
• Stephenson Selected by Capitals - Regina Pats
• Bozon Selected by Canadiens in Third Round - Kamloops Blazers
• Walters Drafted in 4th Round by St. Louis - Everett Silvertips
• Rockets Taken in NHL Draft - Kelowna Rockets
• Royals' Steven Hodges Chosen by Florida Panthers - Victoria Royals
• Troy Bourke Drafted by Colorado Avalanche in Third Round - Prince George Cougars
• Mike Winther Drafted by the Dallas Stars - Prince Albert Raiders

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