T-Birds Select Samuel Knazko in First Round of CHL Import Draft
June 30, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Seattle Thunderbirds News Release
KENT - The Seattle Thunderbirds selected defenseman Samuel Knazko from Slovakia in the first round, 21st overall, of the 2020 CHL Import Draft this morning.
Knazko played last season for TPS Turku in the Finnish Junior League. He had seven goals and 21 assist for 28 points in 41 games. Knazko represented Slovakia at the 2020 World Junior Championship, playing in five games and registering an assist.
"We think Samuel is a high end defenseman that fits well with our group," said general manager Bil La Forge. "He has offensive upside and instincts we really appreciate."
Knazko is ranked number 42 in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings of European skaters for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Last season the T-Birds two Import players were right wing Andrej Kukuca from Slovakia and defenseman Simon Kubicek from the Czech Republic. Both Kukuca and Kubicek were selected in the 2018 Import Draft.
Kukuca led the team in scoring last season with 26 goals and 31 assists for 57 points and has graduated from the league. Kubicek was the highest scoring defenseman on the team last season with seven goals and 20 assists for 27 points in 52 games. Kubicek is ranked number 136 in the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings for 2020 NHL Draft eligible players.
The T-Birds also had the 81st overall selection in the 2020 Import Draft but did not use it with Kubicek returning.
Every CHL team is allowed a maximum of two non-North American players on their roster each season. These players must be drafted in the CHL Import Draft held each summer to be eligible to play.
The two-round draft took place online with the order of selection rotating through each of the CHL's three leagues using an inverse order of final regular season standings within each league from the 2019-20 season.
The WHL has announced a Return to Play Protocol for the 2020-21 season with an anticipated start date of Friday, October 2.
Western Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2020
- Jiri Patera Signs 3-Year, Entry-Level Contract with Vegas Golden Knights - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Broncos Add Forward and Defenceman in CHL Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
- T-Birds Select Samuel Knazko in First Round of CHL Import Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Blades Select Budding Star Brad Lambert in CHL Import Draft - Saskatoon Blades
- Americans Select Goaltender, Defenseman in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Tri-City Americans
- Wheat Kings Draft Russian Defenceman in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Hitmen Select Two Players in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen
- WHL Clubs Select 25 Players from Eight Nations in 2020 CHL Import Draft - WHL
- Rebels Select Promising Czech Winger in CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
- Oil Kings Select Janis Svanenbergs in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Cougars Draft Finnish Forward in CHL Import Draft - Prince George Cougars
- Broncos Add Forward and Defenceman in CHL Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
- Blazers Select Defenseman Viktor Persson in CHL Import Draft - Kamloops Blazers
- Chiefs Select Defenseman David Jiricek in CHL Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
- Raiders Select Shyla in CHL Import Draft - Prince Albert Raiders
- Tigers Select Oskari Kuntonen in CHL Import Draft - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Hurricanes Select Nikita Chibrikov in CHL Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Rockets Select Krutil In Import Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Giants Select Slovakian Defenceman Marko Stacha with 90th Overall Pick in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Winnipeg Ice Select Henri Nikkanen and Eugen Rabcan in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Winnipeg Ice
- Giants Select Swedish Forward Fabian Lysell 30th Overall in the 2020 CHL Import Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Warriors Select Rysavy in 2020 CHL Import Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Royals Select Marcus Almquist in CHL Import Draft - Victoria Royals
- Broncos Acquire Draft Pick from Victoria - Swift Current Broncos
- Pats Select Stanislav Svozil 15th Overall in 2020 Import Draft - Regina Pats
- Royals Make Trade with Broncos - Victoria Royals
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.
