Sting Look for Big Boost with 7th Overall Selection in CHL Import Draft
June 29, 2020 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL) - Sarnia Sting News Release
Sarnia Sting defenceman Eric Hjorth
(Sarnia Sting)
SARNIA, ON- Sarnia Sting General Manager Dylan Seca will look to add an elite talent to the 2020-21 Sarnia Sting lineup as the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft gets underway Tuesday, June 30th at 11 AM EST. The Sting hold the 7th overall selection.
Pavel Zacha (New Jersey Devils) played in 88 OHL games for the Sting over two seasonsThe CHL Import Draft has always been a big day on the calendar for OHL clubs, marking an opportunity to add a player or two who can make an immediate impact in the upcoming season. This year's selection is set for Tuesday June 30th starting at 11:00am, with pick-by-pick coverage at both chl.ca and ontariohockeyleague.com. It will be a unique edition of the event this year, as CHL clubs will make their selections prior to the NHL Draft taking place.
While some teams have taken the approach of identifying younger international talent to add to their depth chart, others have turned to 19-year-olds who can step in and serve as cornerstones in a contending cause. Teams can also choose to pass on either or both of their import selections if they have returning eligible European players in their lineups. The Sarnia Sting will pass on their 2020 2nd round (67) CHL Import Draft Selection as Swedish defenceman and 2019 first round pick Eric Hjorth (D) will return to the Sting lineup.
The Sting have had success in past years of the CHL Import Draft, with notable names such as Hugo Leufvenius (2017-2019), Adam Ruzicka (2016-2019) & Pavel Zacha (2014-16) all donning the black and yellow in Sarnia. Both Ruzickaand Zacha signed National Hockey League deals while Leufvenius continued his professional hockey career back in Sweden.
Complete Sarnia Sting CHL Import Draft History
Round Pick Team Player Heiight Weight Birthdate Position Previous Team Nationality
2019
1 17 Sarnia Hjorth, Eric 6.03 191 2001-01-08 RD Linkoping HC J18E Swedish
2 77 Sarnia Berka, Marek 5.10.75 159 2001-01-22 LW Litvinov Chemopetrol Jr. Czech
2018
1 56 Sarnia PASS
2 116 Sarnia PASS
2017
1 22 Sarnia Leufvenius, Hugo 6.02.5 218 1999-03-26 C Linkoping HC Jr. Swedish
2 82 Sarnia PASS
2016
1 45 Sarnia Helt, Filip 6.01 176 1998-04-09 LW Litvinov Chemopetrol Jr. B Czech
2 74 Sarnia Ruzicka, Adam 6.02 200 1999-05-11 C Pardubice Jr. B Slovakian
2015
1 23 Sarnia Laine, Patrik 6.03 200 1998-04-19 RW Tappara Tampere Finnish
2 64 Sarnia Latta, Louis 6 165 1998-08-07 LW Kolner EC Jr. German
2014
1 1 Sarnia Zacha, Pavel 6.02.75 200 1997-04-06 C Liberec HV Bili Tygri Czech
2 Sarnia PASS
2013
1 27 Sarnia Kodola, Vladislav 5.08 143 1996-10-30 C Cherepovets Severstal U17 Belarusian
2012
1 36 Sarnia Goldobin, Nikolay 5.11 154 1995-10-07 LW Chekhov Russkiye Vityazi Russian
2 75 Sarnia Nemecek, David 6.03 198 1995-06-29 LD Plzen Jr. B Czech
2011
1 49 Sarnia Rensfeldt, Ludvig 6.03 198 1992-01-29 LW Brynas IF Swedish
2010
1 2 Sarnia Yakupov, Nail 5.10.5 169 1993-10-06 RW Neftekamsk Toros - 2 Russian
2 60 Sarnia Latta, Nikolas 5.1 161 1993-10-05 C Riessersee SC Jr. German
2009
2 74 Sarnia Brithen, Ted 6.01 175 1990-11-25 C Rogle BK Jr. Swedish
2008
1 31 Sarnia Preisinger, Miroslav 5.11 156 1991-02-03 C Bratislava Slovan Jr. Slovakian
2 71 Sarnia Bashkirov, Roman 5.10.5 172 1989-03-07 RW Mytishi Khimik - 2 Russian
2007
1 35 Sarnia Karhunen, Tomi 5.10.5 169 1989-10-29 G Karpat Oulu Jr. Finnish
1 41 Sarnia Indra, Marek 5.11 185 1989-04-11 LW Slavia Praha Jr. Czech
2006
1 Sarnia PASS
2 Sarnia PASS
2005
1 4 Sarnia Pospisil, Tomas 5.11.5 183 1987-08-25 RW Trinec HC Ocelari Czech
2 PASS PASS
2004
1 39 Sarnia Ogleznev, Philip 6.03 183 1987-01-13 LW Elektrostal Elemash Junior Ukrainian
1 45 Sarnia Plekhanov, Andrey 6.01 187 1986-07-12 RD Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik Russian
2003
1 Sarnia PASS
2 Sarnia PASS
2002
1 25 Sarnia Chvatal, Marek 1984-01-27 LD Trinec HC Zelenzarny Jr. Czech
2 70 Sarnia Kadeykin, Anton 1984-05-17 LD Elektrostal Kristall-2 Russian
2001
1 17 Sarnia Skoliak, Michal 1984-04-30 RD Liptovsky Mikulas Jr. Slovakian
1 23 Sarnia Stals, Juris 1982-08-04 LW Lukko Rauma Jr. Latvian
2000
1 Sarnia PASS
2 Sarnia PASS
The Canadian Hockey League has documented a decade of past CHL Import Draft selections, highlighting the top player chosen in each slot inside the top 20 picks. OHL names include Andrei Svechnikov (Barrie Colts, 2017), Ukko Pekka-Luukkonen (Sudbury Wolves, 2018), Andre Burakovsky (Erie Otters, 2013), Nikita Zadorov (London Knights, 2012), Ivan Prosvetov (Saginaw Spirit, 2018), Nikita Okhotyuk (Ottawa 67's, 2017), Marco Rossi (Ottawa 67's, 2018) and Vladislav Namestnikov (London Knights, 2010).
2020 CHL Import Draft - OHL First Round Order of Selection:
North Bay Battalion
Niagara IceDogs
Sarnia Sting
Soo Greyhounds (Pass)
Kingston Frontenacs (Pass)
Hamilton Bulldogs
Mississauga Steelheads
Erie Otters
Barrie Colts
Owen Sound Attack
Sudbury Wolves
Guelph Storm (Pass)
Oshawa Generals
Windsor Spitfires
Peterborough Petes
Flint Firebirds
Kitchener Rangers
Saginaw Spirit
London Knights
Ottawa 67's
Images from this story
 Sarnia Sting centre Hugo Leufvenius |
 Sarnia Sting centre Pavel Zacha |
 Sarnia Sting centre Adam Ruzicka |
 Sarnia Sting defenceman Eric Hjorth |
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 29, 2020
- Windsor Spitfires Prepare for 2020 CHL Import Draft - Windsor Spitfires
- Sting Look for Big Boost with 7th Overall Selection in CHL Import Draft - Sarnia Sting
- Import Pick Promises Impact - North Bay Battalion
- Firebirds Prepare for 2020 CHL Import Draft Tuesday - Flint Firebirds
- Motew and Pinelli Develop Brotherly Bond During Rookie Season - Kitchener Rangers
- Petes to Select 43rd and 103rd in 2020 CHL Import Draft on Tuesday - Peterborough Petes
- Attack Set to Pick 28th in CHL Import Draft - Owen Sound Attack
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