Spirit Select Matyas Sapovaliv in 2021 CHL Import Draft

Published on June 30, 2021 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release

Saginaw, MI - The Saginaw Spirit took another step toward returning to the ice for the 2021-22 OHL season when the team completed the CHL Import Draft Wednesday morning.

With the 15th overall selection in the first round, the Spirit selected Matyas Sapovaliv (MAH-tee-aash Shaap-oh-vahl-ev) from Rytiri Kladno in the 2nd Czech Republic Professional Hockey League.  The 6-foot-4, 190-pound center represented the Czech Republic as an underage player at the Under-18 World Championships in Dallas, Texas this past April. Sapovaliv is eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft.

Saginaw passed on their second selection at 108th overall.

Returning to the roster from the 2020 Import Draft is Russian defenseman Pavel Mintyukov. The 2022 NHL Draft Eligible was selected by the Spirit in the first round with the 52nd overall pick.

Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2021

• OHL Clubs Select 27 Players in 2021 CHL Import Draft - OHL
• Frontenacs Complete 2021 CHL Import Draft - Kingston Frontenacs
• 85 Players Selected in 2021 CHL Import Draft - OHL
• Wolves Select Two Players in the CHL Import Draft - Sudbury Wolves
• Greg Walters Named Attack Head Coach - Owen Sound Attack
• Storm Selects a Forward and Defenseman in the 2021 CHL Import Draft - Guelph Storm
• Sting Add Two Prospects Through 2021 CHL Import Draft - Sarnia Sting
• Firebirds Select Czech Forward Simon Slavichek #42 Overall in the CHL Import Draft - Flint Firebirds
• Battalion Looks to Lukin - North Bay Battalion
• Julian Lutz Selected by Hounds in CHL Import Draft - Soo Greyhounds
• Otters Select Two in CHL Import Draft - Erie Otters
• Attack at the Draft - CHL Import Draft Recap - Owen Sound Attack
• Petes Select Adrian Klein at the 2021 CHL Import Draft - Peterborough Petes
• Storm Select Leo Hafenrichter 69th Overall in CHL Import Draft - Guelph Storm
• 67's Draft Forward Vinzenz Rohrer at 2021 CHL Import Draft - Ottawa 67's
• Spirit Select Matyas Sapovaliv in 2021 CHL Import Draft - Saginaw Spirit
• Storm Select Valentin Zhugin 54th Overall in CHL Import Draft - Guelph Storm
• Hounds Select Kirill Kudryavtsev in CHL Import Draft - Soo Greyhounds
• 2021 CHL Import Draft Preview - Sarnia Sting

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.

Other Recent Saginaw Spirit Stories

• Spirit Fall to Rangers, 3-1 on Saturday Night
• Game Preview: Saginaw Spirit vs Kitchener Rangers
• Spirit Acquire Defenseman Zach Wilson from North Bay
• Spirit's Nikita Klepov Named OHL Rookie of the Week
• Gervais Scores Late Equalizer, Spirit Come up Short in OT Loss to Generals