WHL Clubs Select 25 Players from Eight Nations in 2020 CHL Import Draft
June 30, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alta. - The Western Hockey League announced today that 25 players have been selected from eight different nations by WHL Clubs as the 2020 CHL Import Draft was completed.
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 from the 2019-20 regular season. All CHL Clubs are permitted to carry two import players on their roster each season.
The Swift Current Broncos held the top selection of all WHL Clubs, using the third-overall pick to claim Slovakian defenceman Oliver Fatul (2002) of Tappara Tampere Jr. The 6-foot-4, 179-pound blueliner spent the bulk of the campaign with HKM Zloven of the Slovakian professional league (Tipsport Liga), recording two assists in 29 games.
With the sixth-overall selection, the Moose Jaw Warriors chose Czech right winger Martin Rysavy (2003) of Vitkovice Ostrave Jr. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound forward collected 22 points (8G-14A) in 23 games of U20 competition. He also represented his country internationally, serving as captain for the Czech Republic at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, registering five points (3G-2A) and capturing a bronze medal.
The ninth-overall selection saw the Tri-City Americans take Czech goaltender Tomas Suchanek (2003) of HC Ocelari Trinec Jr. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound netminder appeared in nine games for HC Ocelari Trinec at the U20 level, finishing with a 2.75 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. Suchanek was also a member of the Czech Republic team that competed at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, appearing in six games and earning a bronze medal.
The 2020 CHL Import Draft saw WHL Clubs select six players ranked by NHL Central Scouting for the 2020 NHL Draft, including Fatul (70th), Red Deer Rebels selection Tomas Chlubna (2002, Czech Republic; 52nd), Seattle Thunderbirds selection Samuel Knazko (2002, Slovakia; 42nd), Kelowna Rockets selection Michael Krutil (2002, Czech Republic; 27th), Kamloops Blazers selection Viktor Persson (2001, Sweden; 44th), and Edmonton Oil Kings selection Janis Svanenbergs (2001, Latvia; 76th).
One player previously selected in the 2019 NHL Draft was chosen during the 2020 CHL Import Draft, as the Winnipeg ICE chose Winnipeg Jets prospect Henri Nikkanen. The 19-year-old Finnish forward was selected by the Jets in the fourth round (113th) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Complete results from the 2020 CHL Import Draft are available at CHL.ca.
2020 CHL Import Draft - WHL Selections
First Round
3. Swift Current Broncos: Oliver Fatul (RD) - Slovakia - 6'4" / 179 lbs. - August 16, 2002
6. Moose Jaw Warriors: Martin Rysavy (LW) - Czech Republic - 6'2" / 202 lbs. - March 6, 2003
9. Tri-City Americans: Tomas Suchanek (G) - Czech Republic - 6'1" / 160 lbs. - April 30, 2003
12. Prince George Cougars: Jonni Karkkainen (C) - Finland - 6'1" / 181 lbs. - April 1, 2003
15. Regina Pats: Stanislav Svozil (LD) - Czech Republic - 5'11" / 167 lbs. - January 17, 2003
18. Red Deer Rebels: Tomas Chlubna (RW) - Czech Republic - 6'2" / 183 lbs. - July 6, 2002
21. Seattle Thunderbirds: Samuel Knazko (LD) - Slovakia - 6'0" / 191 lbs. - August 7, 2002
24. Kelowna Rockets: Michael Krutil (RD) - Czech Republic - 6'3" / 202 lbs. - June 3, 2002
27. Victoria Royals: Marcus Almquist (RW) - Denmark - 5'7" / 154 lbs. - September 13, 2003
30. Vancouver Giants: Fabian Lysell (LW) - Sweden - 5'10" / 176 lbs. - January 19, 2003
33. Saskatoon Blades: Brad Lambert (C) - Finland - 5'11" / 172 lbs. - December 19, 2003
36. Calgary Hitmen: Jonas Peterek (C/LW) - Czech Republic - 6'2" / 176 lbs. - February 19, 2001
39. Brandon Wheat Kings: Yaroslav Busygin (LD) - Russia - 6'2" / 169 lbs. - February 14, 2003
42. Winnipeg ICE: Henri Nikkanen (C) - Finland - 6'3" / 200 lbs. - April 28, 2001
45. Prince Albert Raiders: Uladzislau Shyla (F) - Belarus - 5'9" / 147 lbs. - March 14, 2003
48. Lethbridge Hurricanes: Nikita Chibrikov (RW) - Russia - 5'10" / 167 lbs. - February 16, 2003
51. Medicine Hat Tigers: Oskari Kuntonen (F) - Finland - 6'1" / 180 lbs. - September 15, 2002
54. Spokane Chiefs: David Jiricek (RD) - Czech Republic - 6'3" / 170 lbs. - November 28, 2003
56. Kamloops Blazers: Viktor Persson (LD) - Sweden - 6'2" / 192 lbs. - November 7, 2001
58. Edmonton Oil Kings: Janis Svanenbergs (RW) - Latvia - 6'3" / 190 lbs. - July 17, 2001
Second Round
63. Swift Current Broncos: Vladislav Demidovich (F) - Belarus - 6'2" / 163 lbs. - May 23, 2002
69. Tri-City Americans: Andrej Golian (LD) - Slovakia - 6'2" / 170 lbs. - March 7, 2001
90. Vancouver Giants: Marko Stacha (LD) - Slovakia - 6'0" / 192 lbs. - March 21, 2002
96. Calgary Hitmen: Alexei Garapuchik (LD) - Belarus - 6'2" / 189 lbs. - April 15, 2003
102. Winnipeg ICE: Eugen Rabcan (G) - Slovakia - 6'2" / 183 lbs. - June 28, 2001
WHL Selections by Country
Czech Republic - 7
Slovakia - 5
Finland - 4
Belarus - 3
Sweden - 2
Russia - 2
Denmark - 1
Latvia - 1
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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
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