WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Prepared for Import Draft

Published on June 29, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB - The Brandon Wheat Kings will head across the pond tomorrow, with the 29th and 98th overall selections in the 2021 CHL Import Draft.

The Wheat Kings have drafted 37 import players since the inaugural draft back in 1992, a list that includes future BWK stars Ivan Provorov (30th Overall, 2014), Jiri Patera (104th Overall, 2018), and Toni Rajala (14th Overall, 2009).

"The Import Draft is an event that truly can change your franchise," said General Manager Doug Gasper. "All you have to do is look at the impact Ivan Provorov had here in his two years."

CHL teams are only allowed to carry two imports on their active roster and teams are not allowed to trade their draft picks.

The Wheat Kings currently hold the playing rights to last year's first-round pick Yaroslav Busygin (39th Overall).

Historically speaking, the Czech Republic leads the way with 487 CHL draft picks, 112 of which went on to play in the NHL. Russia and Slovakia round out the top three countries represented in the draft with a combined 632 selections.

"Our hockey staff has spent the last year watching as much video as we can, and talking to our contacts in other countries," added Gasper. "This is never an easy draft to prepare for, but our guys have worked hard and I'm excited to see how it plays out."

The Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the QMJHL will make the first overall selection at 10:00 AM Manitoba time.

Fans can follow along pick-by-pick

History of Brandon Wheat Kings Import Selections

2020

Yaroslav Busygin, Russia, 1st Round (39th overall)

2019

Marcus Kallionkieli, Finland, 1st Round (22nd Overall)

Vladislav Firstov, Russia, 2nd Round (82nd Overall)

2018

Erik Brannstrom, Sweden, 1st Round (44th Overall)

Jiri Patera, Czech Republic, 2nd Round (104th Overall)

2017

Martin Kaut, Czech Republic, 1st Round (24th Overall)

2016

Linus Nassen, Sweden, 1st Round (59th Overall)

Daniel Bukac, Czech Republic, 2nd Round (119th Overall)

2015

Oliver Kylington, Sweden, 1st Round (60th Overall)

Dario Winkler, Austria, 2nd Round (120th Overall)

2014

Ivan Provorov, Russia, 1st Round (30th overall)

2013

Rihards Bukarts, Latvia, 1st Round (7th overall)

2012

Richard Nejezchleb, Czech Republic, 1st Round (35th overall)

2011

Alessio Bertaggia, Switzerland, 1st Round (33rd overall)

Bruno Mraz, Slovakia, 2nd Round (62nd overall)

2010

Mark Mieritz, Denmark, 1st Round (43rd overall)

2009

Tony Rajala, Finland, 1st Round (14th Overall)

Alexander Urbom, Sweden, 1st Round (23rd Overall)

2008

Maxim Mayorov, Russia, 1st Round

Kirill Gotovets, Belarus, 1st Round

2007

Nikolai Lukyanchikov, Russia, 1st Round

2006

Juraj Simek, Switzerland, 1st round

Igor Musatov, Russia, 2nd round

2005

John Wikner, Sweden, 1st round

2004

Sami Sandell, Finland, 1st round

Jakub Sindel, Czech Republic, 1st round

2002

Ole Tollefsen, Norway, 1st round

2001

Tomas Vanek, Austria, 1st round

Richard Jasovsky, Slovakia, 1st round

2000

Jiri Jakes, Czech Republic, 1st round

1999

Angel Krsdev, Czech Republic, 1st round

1998

Jan Fadrny, Czech Republic, 1st round

1997

Petr Havelka, Czech Republic, 1st round

1995

Andrei Lupandin, Ukraine, 1st round

Gerhard Unterluggauer, Austria, 1st round

1994

Oleg Tverdovsky, Ukraine, 1st round

1993

Ladislav Kohn, Czech Republic, 1st round

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Western Hockey League Stories from June 29, 2021


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