Wheaties draft two imports
Published on June 30, 2004 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Brandon, Manitoba -- The Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings were busy this morning as the first round of the 2004 Canadian Hockey League Import draft was held.
By virtue of finishing sixteenth in the WHL this past season, the Wheat Kings had the tenth overall selection and used it to select 17-year old left-winger Sami Sandell of Ilves Tampere.
The 6'1" 180 lb. Sandell will be eligible for the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
"Sami is a very talented player," says Brandon general manager Kelly McCrimmon. "He's a good skater who can make plays."
By releasing Slovakian right-winger Richard Jasovsky on Tuesday, the Wheat Kings took advantage of having the 13th overall pick by choosing highly touted Jakub Sindel from Sparta of the Czech Republic. A 6' 172 lb center, Sindel was a second round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks in Saturday's NHL draft in Carolina.
Brandon acquired the 13th pick last October in the deal that saw veteran defenceman Brett Dickie go to the Prince George Cougars.
After winning just seven games this past season, the Saskatoon Blades had the first overall pick on Wednesday and used it to select Czech forward Zdanek Bahensky. A third round selection of the New York Rangers in Saturday's NHL draft, Bahensky scored 14 goals and 29 points and accumulated 204 minutes in penalties in 52 games with Litvinov last season.
Two other WHL clubs had top ten picks - Calgary took right-winger Roman Tomanek (4th) while Seattle chose center Ladislav Scurko (7th) of Slovakia.
Each CHL team is permitted to carry two import players on it's roster. Norwegian born defenceman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, who was Brandon's first round pick in 2002, recently came to terms with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sandell becomes the second highest import to be chosen by Brandon. Tollefsen was the ninth player taken two years ago.
Western Hockey League Stories from June 30, 2004
- Cougars 64th Selection - Prince George Cougars
- Cougars Land Belarus Defenseman - Prince George Cougars
- Cougars Move Up At Import Draft - Prince George Cougars
- Chiefs Select Austrian in Import Draft - Spokane Chiefs
- Red Deer Rebels Select Roman Wick In The CHL Import Draft - Red Deer Rebels
- Silvertips select Hromas in first round of CHL import draft - Everett Silvertips
- Former Hitmen Captain Patrick Wellar Signs Contract with St. Loui s Blues - Calgary Hitmen
- Giants select netminder with second import pick - Vancouver Giants
- Winter Hawks Select Czech Republic Winger in Today's Import Draft - Portland Winterhawks
- Ams Pick in Import Draft - Tri-City Americans
- Ice Select Defenseman in CHL Import Draft - Kootenay Ice
- Five Blazers selected through seven rounds - Kamloops Blazers
- Blades begin CHL draft - Saskatoon Blades
- Wheaties draft two imports - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Hitmen Select Roman Tomanek fourth overall in CHL Import Draft - Calgary Hitmen
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