Weaties Take Two in CHL Import Draft

June 30, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release

Brandon, Manitoba - It took some wheeling and dealing but the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings managed to move up and grab two premium picks in Tuesday's Canadi an Hockey League Import Draft.

The Wheat Kings, who began the day without a first round pick due to an earlier deal with Moose Jaw, completed deals with Medicine Hat, Red Deer and Chilliwack in order to draft 14th and 23rd overall.

Following the moves, the Wheat Kings had chosen 18-year old Finnish born right-winger Toni Rajala as well as 19-year old defenceman Alexander Urbom from Sweden.

The day began when Brandon general manager and head coach Kelly McCrimmon acquired Medicine Hat's first round pick (44th overall) in exchange for a sixth round bantam pick in 2011 or a flip of first round Import picks in 2011.

The Wheat Kings then traded that pick as well as 20-year old veteran Nathan Green to the Rebels in exchange for the fourteenth overall selection. With that pick, Brandon took the 5'10" 163 lb. Rajala, who was chosen by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round (101st overall) of Saturday's National Hockey League Entry Draft.

In addition to representing Finland at last year's World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa, Rajala averaged a point per game last season, scoring fourteen goals and 31 points in 31 games. Meanwhile at the World Under 18 Championships in Fargo this spring, he led the tournament with 19 points in six games, eclipsing the previous U18 scoring record held by Alex Ovechkin. As well, he was named the event's Top Forward.

Following the fourteenth pick, McCrimmon then moved a third round bantam pick in 2011 to the Bruins in exchange for an eighth round bantam pick in 2011 and the 23rd overall selection. Brandon used that pick to draft Stockholm native Urbom

A third round draft choice (73rd overall) of the New Jersey Devils this year, Urbom played this past season with Djurgardens IF of the Swedish Pro League and at 6'3" 196 lbs., he is a classic stay at home defenceman, who likes to play physical.

A Winnipeg product, Green has played the past three seasons in Brandon and is coming off a career year that saw him score 24 goals and 59 points in 72 games.

With Green's departure, the Wheat Kings have four 20-year olds on their active roster - forwards Matt Calvert, Aaron Lewadniuk, Del Cowan and Jay Fehr. WHL clubs are permitted to carry a maximum of three overage players.

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Western Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2009

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• Chiefs Take Forward from the Czech Republic - Spokane Chiefs
• Warriors Select Herman 53rd Overall - Moose Jaw Warriors
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• Kelowna Rockets Make CHL Import Selection - Kelowna Rockets
• Broncos Select Flames Draft Pick in Import Draft - Swift Current Broncos
• Rich Preston named General Manager and Head Coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Hurricanes draft Kolppanen in 2009 CHL Import Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Rebels Swap Picks With Brandon; Acquire Nathan Green - Red Deer Rebels
• Red Deer Rebels Select John Persson In The CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
• T-Birds Take Rusian Foward in CHL Import Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Ice Select Defensemen in CHl Import Draft - Kootenay Ice
• Weaties Take Two in CHL Import Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Raiders Select Right Winger Fredrik Cedergren of Sweden in 2009 CHL Import Draft - Prince Albert Raiders
• Wheaties Move Up to Take Finn - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Bruins Nab Czech Center in Import Draft - Chilliwack Bruins
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