2025 CHL Import Draft

[Hinterland]

Generally if a Russian/Swedish/Finnish kid is coming over, they're probably decently high-end and would clear the "2 per team" threshold pretty easily. I expect with a 3 per-team threshold, you'll see a lot more players from the other European countries where kids will be happy to come over even if they are only a marginal CHL-level player because it's still going to be a better development opportunity than what they'd face domestically.

The opposite is the case. From those countries, and especially from Sweden, prospects coming over are often times not really high profile prospects because the real top prospects mostly aren't interested in heading overseas. For example, Filip Ekberg was an absolute exception last season. Kids with his kinda standing usually stay in Sweden. I wouldn't be surprised to see CHL teams pick more of those sleeper picks from the countries you mentioned and not just more kids from smaller hockey markets. A bit of both maybe, mixed in with the occasional high profile prospect they hope they can convince to come over eventually.

 

[Bjindaho]

Good point. Official statement says "reassigned" not "released". Seadogs also haven't added any imports so you're most certainly right. In this case it will be interesting to see if they're interested in bringing Schenk back (and if the player wants to return to NA) or if they decide to use all picks instead.

They could either bring him back or find another Q team that he might fit better on (like maybe Rouyn-Noranda to play with Steiner)

 

[Kingpin794]

Important to note that not everyone is going to ice 3 imports. Some will but other will likely use 2 picks on decent players and the 3rd will be a home run swing for big name players. If a team does a really good job of recruiting Americans, they won't have as many open spots to fill so they might fall into the second group. Teams that are still having a hard time recruiting could use all 3 spots on so-so imports to fill out lineups.

 

[WarriorofTime]

The opposite is the case. From those countries, and especially from Sweden, prospects coming over are often times not really high profile prospects because the real top prospects mostly aren't interested in heading overseas. For example, Filip Ekberg was an absolute exception last season. Kids with his kinda standing usually stay in Sweden. I wouldn't be surprised to see CHL teams pick more of those sleeper picks from the countries you mentioned and not just kids from smaller hockey markets.

I see what you're saying as I dive in to Swedish kids, basically kids not prioritized domestically looking for a grass is greener scenario. I was admittedly mostly thinking of Russia where it's generally NHL-level prospects looking to come over to acclimate into North America whereas your typical "KHL prospect" will stick around the MHL and stay in the orbit of their KHL teams, and then extrapolating how Swedish prospects mostly stay domestic and made some incorrect assumptions.

 

[Trav]

If Tobias Tomik reports to the Vancouver Giants, that should be a big boost for them.

It was interesting seeing the Saskatoon Blades pick up Dominik Petr last week. They had a open OA spot so rather then take a gamble in the second round, they went with a proven import player. Not bad.

 

[frontsfan67]

Have predicted for half the season about the fronts picking Tuomas Uronens twin brothers Anttoni and Eelis. Hope I’m right. Forward and d out of Finland (08’s)

If there’s a 3rd pick not sure they might just hold onto Tuomas’ rights and hope for the family affair but I think he gets signed by the golden knights and plays for silver knights

 

[CentralEuropeanScout]

Re the WJC18 I thought Mundy, Aeschlimann and Trachsel had a very good tournament. Dandois barely played, must have been sick or injured.

Dandois broke his arm in the first game vs. Sweden

 

[Hinterland]

Dandois broke his arm in the first game vs. Sweden

Oh shit. That's rough. I expected something like this though because he disappeared some time mid game and never played again all WJC18 long. That explains it. Poor kid. Was definitely a tough loss for an already poor forward group.

 

[macbowes]

These are all players on my watchlist that are eligible to be picked. Most of the players on this list have no intentions of playing in the CHL, and are thus unlikely to be picked. Regardless, I'll list them, as they would certainly be picked if there was mutual interest (e.g. Frondell).

Spoiler: 2025 CHL Import Draft Watchlist Eligibles

POS NAME                  BIRTH YEAR  LEAGUE     TEAM
--------------------------------------------------------------
F   Ilia Morozov          b. 2008     USHL       Tri-City Storm
F   Alexei Vlasov         b. 2008     USHL       Sioux Falls Stampede
F   Rudolfs Berzkalns     b. 2008     USHL       Muskegon Lumberjacks
F   Yegor Shilov          b. 2008     USHL       Green Bay Gamblers
F   Nikita Klyopov        b. 2008     USHL       Sioux City Musketeers
F   Olivers Murnieks      b. 2008     USHL       Sioux City Musketeers
F   Timothy Kazda         b. 2008     USHL       Chicago Steel
F   Adam Benak            b. 2007     USHL       Youngstown Phantoms
F   Alex Misiak           b. 2007     USHL       Waterloo Black Hawks
F   Ivan Ryabkin          b. 2007     USHL       Muskegon Lumberjacks
F   Viktor Fyodorov       b. 2008     MHL        Chaika Nizhny Novgorod
F   Matvei Kotkov         b. 2008     MHL        Loko Yaroslavl
F   Boris Borin           b. 2008     MHL        AKM Tula
F   Nikita Ovcharov       b. 2008     MHL        Krasnaya Armiya Moskva
D   Alexander Grunin      b. 2008     MHL        Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D   Alexander Morozov     b. 2008     MHL        Ladia Togliatti
F   Kirill Yemelyanov     b. 2007     MHL        Loko Yaroslav
F   Dmitri Isayev         b. 2007     MHL        Avto Yekaterinburg
F   Alexander Zharovsky   b. 2007     MHL        Tolpar Ufa
F   Daniil Prokhorov      b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg
F   Lavr Gashilov         b. 2007     MHL        Avto Yekaterinaburg
D   Maxim Agafonov        b. 2007     MHL        Tolpar Ufa
D   Roman Bausov          b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg
D   Kurban Limatov        b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo Moskva
G   Pyotr Andreyanov      b. 2007     MHL        Krasnaya Armiya Moskva
G   Semyon Frolov         b. 2007     MHL        MHK Spartak Moskva
F   Alexander Pershakov   b. 2006     MHL        Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D   Makar Fomin           b. 2006     MHL        Almaz Cherepovets
D   Artyom Vilchinsky     b. 2006     MHL        SKA 1946 St. Petersburg
D   Lasse Boelius         b. 2007     Liiga      Assat
F   Doman Szongoth        b. 2008     U20SM      KooKoo
F   Viljo Kahkonen        b. 2008     U20SM      HIFK
F   Wilmer Kalio          b. 2008     U20SM      TPS
D   Juho Piiparinen       b. 2008     U20SM      Tappara
D   Samu Alalauri         b. 2008     U20SM      Pelicans
F   Jere Somervuori       b. 2007     U20SM      HIFK
D   Jesper Kotajarvi      b. 2007     U20SM      Tappara
F   Jasper Kuhta          b. 2006     U20SM      HIFK
F   Simon Katolicky       b. 2008     U18SM      Tappara
F   Oiva Juntunen         b. 2008     U18SM      HIFK
F   Rasmus Rinne          b. 2008     U18SM      Ilves
F   Viggo Bjorck          b. 2008     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Oscar Holmertz        b. 2008     J20N       Linkoping HC
F   Elton Hermansson      b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Niklas Aaram Olsen    b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Nils Bartholdsson     b. 2008     J20N       Rogle BK
D   Ola Palme             b. 2008     J20N       Vaxjo Lakers
D   Malte Gustafsson      b. 2008     J20N       HV71
D   Axel Elofsson         b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Eric Nilson           b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Anton Frondell        b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Theo Stockselius      b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Max Westergard        b. 2007     J20N       Frolunda
F   Mikkel Eriksen        b. 2007     J20N       Farjestad
F   Jakob Ihs Wozniak     b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
F   Melvin Novotny        b. 2007     J20N       Leksands IF
F   Eddie Genborg         b. 2007     J20N       Linkoping HC
F   Viktor Klingsell      b. 2007     J20N       Skelleftea
F   Milton Gastrin        b. 2007     J20N       MoDo Hockey
F   Michal Svrcek         b. 2007     J20N       Brynas IF
F   Ivar Stenberg         b. 2007     J20N       Frolunda
D   Karl Annborn          b. 2007     J20N       HV71
D   Theodore Hallquisth   b. 2007     J20N       Orebro HK
D   Oliwer Sjorstrom      b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
D   Vladimir Dravecky     b. 2007     J20N       Rogle BK
G   Love Harenstam        b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
F   Bruno Osmanis         b. 2006     J20N       IF Bjorkloven
F   Victor Eklund         b. 2006     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Marcus Nordmark       b. 2008     J18R       Djurgardens
F   Leo Tjallden          b. 2008     J18R       Malmo Redhawks
D   Dennis Lindberg       b. 2008     J18R       Djurgardens
F   Filip Novak           b. 2008     Czechia    HC Sparta Praha U20
F   Matous Kucharcik      b. 2007     Czechia    HC Slavia Praha
F   David Rozsival        b. 2007     Czechia    Bili Tygri Liberec
D   Jan Skok              b. 2006     Czechia    HC Plzen
F   Adam Klaus            b. 2008     Swiss      Lausanne HC U20
F   Simas Ignatavicius    b. 2007     Swiss      Geneve-Servette HC U20
D   Patryk Zubek          b. 2007     Slovakia   Barani Banska Bystrica

 

[TheFinnishchamp]

Have predicted for half the season about the fronts picking Tuomas Uronens twin brothers Anttoni and Eelis. Hope I’m right. Forward and d out of Finland (08’s)

If there’s a 3rd pick not sure they might just hold onto Tuomas’ rights and hope for the family affair but I think he gets signed by the golden knights and plays for silver knights

That's a good shout, Tuomas has certainly done well for himself and moving to OHL was a great move for him as I don't think he would have gotten a big role in Liiga. Both Eelis and Anttoni are interesting players, at the moment Eelis is the most promising LHD out of the 08 Finns (and 4th most promising D overall) and Anttoni is a promising two way center

 

[Bra Wavers]

Having a look at some German prospects.........
I see that the Kose brothers have signed to play in the DEL with Löwen Frankfurt next season.
Looks like Maxim Schäfer and Elias Schneider are in the same boat signing with Eisbären Berlin.

Does this mean that they are not interested in playing in the CHL?
With CHL teams allowed to have 3 imports there is a decent chance that the Kose brothers could go as a package deal to the same team.

I see that Dustin Willhöft and the Grivas brothers are not signed to play anywhere yet so I'm assuming they would be interested in the CHL.

 

[Hinterland]

Having a look at some German prospects.........
I see that the Kose brothers have signed to play in the DEL with Löwen Frankfurt next season.
Looks like Maxim Schäfer and Elias Schneider are in the same boat signing with Eisbären Berlin.

Does this mean that they are not interested in playing in the CHL?
With CHL teams allowed to have 3 imports there is a decent chance that the Kose brothers could go as a package deal to the same team.

I see that Dustin Willhöft and the Grivas brothers are not signed to play anywhere yet so I'm assuming they would be interested in the CHL.

Not necessarily. Especially since they both signed multi year deals those could be signings just to have a fallback option or preparation for the time after the CHL.
Basile Sansonnens signed a four year deal with Lausanne last summer just to get loaned to the Rimouski Océanic a few weeks later.

I don't know about the plans of the Kose brothers but the fact that they just signed a new contract doesn't necessarily mean they're not interested in playing CHL.

Also, NHL teams often times try to get their European prospects from smaller markets to come over to NA. So even existing plans of those kids can still change. I'm not sure if they already talked about it in hearings prior to the NHL draft or only afterwards but I'm under the impression that it was the Vancouver Canucks that convinced Sansonnens to commit and play for Rimouski. Thankfully for him it worked out since he's playing top4 for the QMJHL finalist and Memorial Cup host team.

 

[Bra Wavers]

These are all players on my watchlist that are eligible to be picked. Most of the players on this list have no intentions of playing in the CHL, and are thus unlikely to be picked. Regardless, I'll list them, as they would certainly be picked if there was mutual interest (e.g. Frondell).

Spoiler: 2025 CHL Import Draft Watchlist Eligibles

POS NAME                  BIRTH YEAR  LEAGUE     TEAM
--------------------------------------------------------------
F   Ilia Morozov          b. 2008     USHL       Tri-City Storm
F   Alexei Vlasov         b. 2008     USHL       Sioux Falls Stampede
F   Rudolfs Berzkalns     b. 2008     USHL       Muskegon Lumberjacks
F   Yegor Shilov          b. 2008     USHL       Green Bay Gamblers
F   Nikita Klyopov        b. 2008     USHL       Sioux City Musketeers
F   Olivers Murnieks      b. 2008     USHL       Sioux City Musketeers
F   Timothy Kazda         b. 2008     USHL       Chicago Steel
F   Adam Benak            b. 2007     USHL       Youngstown Phantoms
F   Alex Misiak           b. 2007     USHL       Waterloo Black Hawks
F   Ivan Ryabkin          b. 2007     USHL       Muskegon Lumberjacks
F   Viktor Fyodorov       b. 2008     MHL        Chaika Nizhny Novgorod
F   Matvei Kotkov         b. 2008     MHL        Loko Yaroslavl
F   Boris Borin           b. 2008     MHL        AKM Tula
F   Nikita Ovcharov       b. 2008     MHL        Krasnaya Armiya Moskva
D   Alexander Grunin      b. 2008     MHL        Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D   Alexander Morozov     b. 2008     MHL        Ladia Togliatti
F   Kirill Yemelyanov     b. 2007     MHL        Loko Yaroslav
F   Dmitri Isayev         b. 2007     MHL        Avto Yekaterinburg
F   Alexander Zharovsky   b. 2007     MHL        Tolpar Ufa
F   Daniil Prokhorov      b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg
F   Lavr Gashilov         b. 2007     MHL        Avto Yekaterinaburg
D   Maxim Agafonov        b. 2007     MHL        Tolpar Ufa
D   Roman Bausov          b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg
D   Kurban Limatov        b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo Moskva
G   Pyotr Andreyanov      b. 2007     MHL        Krasnaya Armiya Moskva
G   Semyon Frolov         b. 2007     MHL        MHK Spartak Moskva
F   Alexander Pershakov   b. 2006     MHL        Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D   Makar Fomin           b. 2006     MHL        Almaz Cherepovets
D   Artyom Vilchinsky     b. 2006     MHL        SKA 1946 St. Petersburg
D   Lasse Boelius         b. 2007     Liiga      Assat
F   Doman Szongoth        b. 2008     U20SM      KooKoo
F   Viljo Kahkonen        b. 2008     U20SM      HIFK
F   Wilmer Kalio          b. 2008     U20SM      TPS
D   Juho Piiparinen       b. 2008     U20SM      Tappara
D   Samu Alalauri         b. 2008     U20SM      Pelicans
F   Jere Somervuori       b. 2007     U20SM      HIFK
D   Jesper Kotajarvi      b. 2007     U20SM      Tappara
F   Jasper Kuhta          b. 2006     U20SM      HIFK
F   Simon Katolicky       b. 2008     U18SM      Tappara
F   Oiva Juntunen         b. 2008     U18SM      HIFK
F   Rasmus Rinne          b. 2008     U18SM      Ilves
F   Viggo Bjorck          b. 2008     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Oscar Holmertz        b. 2008     J20N       Linkoping HC
F   Elton Hermansson      b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Niklas Aaram Olsen    b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Nils Bartholdsson     b. 2008     J20N       Rogle BK
D   Ola Palme             b. 2008     J20N       Vaxjo Lakers
D   Malte Gustafsson      b. 2008     J20N       HV71
D   Axel Elofsson         b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Eric Nilson           b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Anton Frondell        b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Theo Stockselius      b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Max Westergard        b. 2007     J20N       Frolunda
F   Mikkel Eriksen        b. 2007     J20N       Farjestad
F   Jakob Ihs Wozniak     b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
F   Melvin Novotny        b. 2007     J20N       Leksands IF
F   Eddie Genborg         b. 2007     J20N       Linkoping HC
F   Viktor Klingsell      b. 2007     J20N       Skelleftea
F   Milton Gastrin        b. 2007     J20N       MoDo Hockey
F   Michal Svrcek         b. 2007     J20N       Brynas IF
F   Ivar Stenberg         b. 2007     J20N       Frolunda
D   Karl Annborn          b. 2007     J20N       HV71
D   Theodore Hallquisth   b. 2007     J20N       Orebro HK
D   Oliwer Sjorstrom      b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
D   Vladimir Dravecky     b. 2007     J20N       Rogle BK
G   Love Harenstam        b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
F   Bruno Osmanis         b. 2006     J20N       IF Bjorkloven
F   Victor Eklund         b. 2006     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Marcus Nordmark       b. 2008     J18R       Djurgardens
F   Leo Tjallden          b. 2008     J18R       Malmo Redhawks
D   Dennis Lindberg       b. 2008     J18R       Djurgardens
F   Filip Novak           b. 2008     Czechia    HC Sparta Praha U20
F   Matous Kucharcik      b. 2007     Czechia    HC Slavia Praha
F   David Rozsival        b. 2007     Czechia    Bili Tygri Liberec
D   Jan Skok              b. 2006     Czechia    HC Plzen
F   Adam Klaus            b. 2008     Swiss      Lausanne HC U20
F   Simas Ignatavicius    b. 2007     Swiss      Geneve-Servette HC U20
D   Patryk Zubek          b. 2007     Slovakia   Barani Banska Bystrica

Thanks for this info - very insightful for those of us who do not know all of these players very well.
I wonder how many of these players will consider playing in the CHL if they are drafted by an NHL team in June and that team prefers that they play in North America to adjust to the size of the ice surface as well as the style of play.

A player like David Rozsival might prefer top line and special team minutes with a CHL team instead of playing fewer minutes on the 4th line with Bili Tygri Liberec. I'm sure there are preliminary conversations occurring now but it will be especially busy for GMs, agents and all players eligible for the CHL import draft between June 27th and July 2nd especially with the increase to 3 imports per team.

I really hope you are wrong about Adam Benak and Simon Katolicky.......they would look great playing with Adam Novotny in Peterborough.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

These are all players on my watchlist that are eligible to be picked. Most of the players on this list have no intentions of playing in the CHL, and are thus unlikely to be picked. Regardless, I'll list them, as they would certainly be picked if there was mutual interest (e.g. Frondell).

Spoiler: 2025 CHL Import Draft Watchlist Eligibles

POS NAME                  BIRTH YEAR  LEAGUE     TEAM
--------------------------------------------------------------
F   Ilia Morozov          b. 2008     USHL       Tri-City Storm
F   Alexei Vlasov         b. 2008     USHL       Sioux Falls Stampede
F   Rudolfs Berzkalns     b. 2008     USHL       Muskegon Lumberjacks
F   Yegor Shilov          b. 2008     USHL       Green Bay Gamblers
F   Nikita Klyopov        b. 2008     USHL       Sioux City Musketeers
F   Olivers Murnieks      b. 2008     USHL       Sioux City Musketeers
F   Timothy Kazda         b. 2008     USHL       Chicago Steel
F   Adam Benak            b. 2007     USHL       Youngstown Phantoms
F   Alex Misiak           b. 2007     USHL       Waterloo Black Hawks
F   Ivan Ryabkin          b. 2007     USHL       Muskegon Lumberjacks
F   Viktor Fyodorov       b. 2008     MHL        Chaika Nizhny Novgorod
F   Matvei Kotkov         b. 2008     MHL        Loko Yaroslavl
F   Boris Borin           b. 2008     MHL        AKM Tula
F   Nikita Ovcharov       b. 2008     MHL        Krasnaya Armiya Moskva
D   Alexander Grunin      b. 2008     MHL        Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D   Alexander Morozov     b. 2008     MHL        Ladia Togliatti
F   Kirill Yemelyanov     b. 2007     MHL        Loko Yaroslav
F   Dmitri Isayev         b. 2007     MHL        Avto Yekaterinburg
F   Alexander Zharovsky   b. 2007     MHL        Tolpar Ufa
F   Daniil Prokhorov      b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg
F   Lavr Gashilov         b. 2007     MHL        Avto Yekaterinaburg
D   Maxim Agafonov        b. 2007     MHL        Tolpar Ufa
D   Roman Bausov          b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg
D   Kurban Limatov        b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo Moskva
G   Pyotr Andreyanov      b. 2007     MHL        Krasnaya Armiya Moskva
G   Semyon Frolov         b. 2007     MHL        MHK Spartak Moskva
F   Alexander Pershakov   b. 2006     MHL        Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D   Makar Fomin           b. 2006     MHL        Almaz Cherepovets
D   Artyom Vilchinsky     b. 2006     MHL        SKA 1946 St. Petersburg
D   Lasse Boelius         b. 2007     Liiga      Assat
F   Doman Szongoth        b. 2008     U20SM      KooKoo
F   Viljo Kahkonen        b. 2008     U20SM      HIFK
F   Wilmer Kalio          b. 2008     U20SM      TPS
D   Juho Piiparinen       b. 2008     U20SM      Tappara
D   Samu Alalauri         b. 2008     U20SM      Pelicans
F   Jere Somervuori       b. 2007     U20SM      HIFK
D   Jesper Kotajarvi      b. 2007     U20SM      Tappara
F   Jasper Kuhta          b. 2006     U20SM      HIFK
F   Simon Katolicky       b. 2008     U18SM      Tappara
F   Oiva Juntunen         b. 2008     U18SM      HIFK
F   Rasmus Rinne          b. 2008     U18SM      Ilves
F   Viggo Bjorck          b. 2008     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Oscar Holmertz        b. 2008     J20N       Linkoping HC
F   Elton Hermansson      b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Niklas Aaram Olsen    b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Nils Bartholdsson     b. 2008     J20N       Rogle BK
D   Ola Palme             b. 2008     J20N       Vaxjo Lakers
D   Malte Gustafsson      b. 2008     J20N       HV71
D   Axel Elofsson         b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Eric Nilson           b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Anton Frondell        b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Theo Stockselius      b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Max Westergard        b. 2007     J20N       Frolunda
F   Mikkel Eriksen        b. 2007     J20N       Farjestad
F   Jakob Ihs Wozniak     b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
F   Melvin Novotny        b. 2007     J20N       Leksands IF
F   Eddie Genborg         b. 2007     J20N       Linkoping HC
F   Viktor Klingsell      b. 2007     J20N       Skelleftea
F   Milton Gastrin        b. 2007     J20N       MoDo Hockey
F   Michal Svrcek         b. 2007     J20N       Brynas IF
F   Ivar Stenberg         b. 2007     J20N       Frolunda
D   Karl Annborn          b. 2007     J20N       HV71
D   Theodore Hallquisth   b. 2007     J20N       Orebro HK
D   Oliwer Sjorstrom      b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
D   Vladimir Dravecky     b. 2007     J20N       Rogle BK
G   Love Harenstam        b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
F   Bruno Osmanis         b. 2006     J20N       IF Bjorkloven
F   Victor Eklund         b. 2006     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Marcus Nordmark       b. 2008     J18R       Djurgardens
F   Leo Tjallden          b. 2008     J18R       Malmo Redhawks
D   Dennis Lindberg       b. 2008     J18R       Djurgardens
F   Filip Novak           b. 2008     Czechia    HC Sparta Praha U20
F   Matous Kucharcik      b. 2007     Czechia    HC Slavia Praha
F   David Rozsival        b. 2007     Czechia    Bili Tygri Liberec
D   Jan Skok              b. 2006     Czechia    HC Plzen
F   Adam Klaus            b. 2008     Swiss      Lausanne HC U20
F   Simas Ignatavicius    b. 2007     Swiss      Geneve-Servette HC U20
D   Patryk Zubek          b. 2007     Slovakia   Barani Banska Bystrica

Jere Somervuori and Viljo Kahkonen are under SM liiga contract with HIFK.
But where's Matias Vanhanen he isn't signed with HIFK and he's considering CHL.

So Vanhanen should be on that list.

 

[Bra Wavers]

These are all players on my watchlist that are eligible to be picked. Most of the players on this list have no intentions of playing in the CHL, and are thus unlikely to be picked. Regardless, I'll list them, as they would certainly be picked if there was mutual interest (e.g. Frondell).

Spoiler: 2025 CHL Import Draft Watchlist Eligibles

POS NAME                  BIRTH YEAR  LEAGUE     TEAM
--------------------------------------------------------------
F   Ilia Morozov          b. 2008     USHL       Tri-City Storm
F   Alexei Vlasov         b. 2008     USHL       Sioux Falls Stampede
F   Rudolfs Berzkalns     b. 2008     USHL       Muskegon Lumberjacks
F   Yegor Shilov          b. 2008     USHL       Green Bay Gamblers
F   Nikita Klyopov        b. 2008     USHL       Sioux City Musketeers
F   Olivers Murnieks      b. 2008     USHL       Sioux City Musketeers
F   Timothy Kazda         b. 2008     USHL       Chicago Steel
F   Adam Benak            b. 2007     USHL       Youngstown Phantoms
F   Alex Misiak           b. 2007     USHL       Waterloo Black Hawks
F   Ivan Ryabkin          b. 2007     USHL       Muskegon Lumberjacks
F   Viktor Fyodorov       b. 2008     MHL        Chaika Nizhny Novgorod
F   Matvei Kotkov         b. 2008     MHL        Loko Yaroslavl
F   Boris Borin           b. 2008     MHL        AKM Tula
F   Nikita Ovcharov       b. 2008     MHL        Krasnaya Armiya Moskva
D   Alexander Grunin      b. 2008     MHL        Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D   Alexander Morozov     b. 2008     MHL        Ladia Togliatti
F   Kirill Yemelyanov     b. 2007     MHL        Loko Yaroslav
F   Dmitri Isayev         b. 2007     MHL        Avto Yekaterinburg
F   Alexander Zharovsky   b. 2007     MHL        Tolpar Ufa
F   Daniil Prokhorov      b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg
F   Lavr Gashilov         b. 2007     MHL        Avto Yekaterinaburg
D   Maxim Agafonov        b. 2007     MHL        Tolpar Ufa
D   Roman Bausov          b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg
D   Kurban Limatov        b. 2007     MHL        MHK Dynamo Moskva
G   Pyotr Andreyanov      b. 2007     MHL        Krasnaya Armiya Moskva
G   Semyon Frolov         b. 2007     MHL        MHK Spartak Moskva
F   Alexander Pershakov   b. 2006     MHL        Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk
D   Makar Fomin           b. 2006     MHL        Almaz Cherepovets
D   Artyom Vilchinsky     b. 2006     MHL        SKA 1946 St. Petersburg
D   Lasse Boelius         b. 2007     Liiga      Assat
F   Doman Szongoth        b. 2008     U20SM      KooKoo
F   Viljo Kahkonen        b. 2008     U20SM      HIFK
F   Wilmer Kalio          b. 2008     U20SM      TPS
D   Juho Piiparinen       b. 2008     U20SM      Tappara
D   Samu Alalauri         b. 2008     U20SM      Pelicans
F   Jere Somervuori       b. 2007     U20SM      HIFK
D   Jesper Kotajarvi      b. 2007     U20SM      Tappara
F   Jasper Kuhta          b. 2006     U20SM      HIFK
F   Simon Katolicky       b. 2008     U18SM      Tappara
F   Oiva Juntunen         b. 2008     U18SM      HIFK
F   Rasmus Rinne          b. 2008     U18SM      Ilves
F   Viggo Bjorck          b. 2008     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Oscar Holmertz        b. 2008     J20N       Linkoping HC
F   Elton Hermansson      b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Niklas Aaram Olsen    b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Nils Bartholdsson     b. 2008     J20N       Rogle BK
D   Ola Palme             b. 2008     J20N       Vaxjo Lakers
D   Malte Gustafsson      b. 2008     J20N       HV71
D   Axel Elofsson         b. 2008     J20N       Orebro
F   Eric Nilson           b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Anton Frondell        b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Theo Stockselius      b. 2007     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Max Westergard        b. 2007     J20N       Frolunda
F   Mikkel Eriksen        b. 2007     J20N       Farjestad
F   Jakob Ihs Wozniak     b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
F   Melvin Novotny        b. 2007     J20N       Leksands IF
F   Eddie Genborg         b. 2007     J20N       Linkoping HC
F   Viktor Klingsell      b. 2007     J20N       Skelleftea
F   Milton Gastrin        b. 2007     J20N       MoDo Hockey
F   Michal Svrcek         b. 2007     J20N       Brynas IF
F   Ivar Stenberg         b. 2007     J20N       Frolunda
D   Karl Annborn          b. 2007     J20N       HV71
D   Theodore Hallquisth   b. 2007     J20N       Orebro HK
D   Oliwer Sjorstrom      b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
D   Vladimir Dravecky     b. 2007     J20N       Rogle BK
G   Love Harenstam        b. 2007     J20N       Lulea
F   Bruno Osmanis         b. 2006     J20N       IF Bjorkloven
F   Victor Eklund         b. 2006     J20N       Djurgardens
F   Marcus Nordmark       b. 2008     J18R       Djurgardens
F   Leo Tjallden          b. 2008     J18R       Malmo Redhawks
D   Dennis Lindberg       b. 2008     J18R       Djurgardens
F   Filip Novak           b. 2008     Czechia    HC Sparta Praha U20
F   Matous Kucharcik      b. 2007     Czechia    HC Slavia Praha
F   David Rozsival        b. 2007     Czechia    Bili Tygri Liberec
D   Jan Skok              b. 2006     Czechia    HC Plzen
F   Adam Klaus            b. 2008     Swiss      Lausanne HC U20
F   Simas Ignatavicius    b. 2007     Swiss      Geneve-Servette HC U20
D   Patryk Zubek          b. 2007     Slovakia   Barani Banska Bystrica

Why is this a "watch list" if these are players that you think are unlikely to come to the CHL?
I'd love to see a list of the top imports who are considering a move to the CHL if selected on July 2nd.

 

[macbowes]

Why is this a "watch list" if these are players that you think are unlikely to come to the CHL?
I'd love to see a list of the top imports who are considering a move to the CHL if selected on July 2nd.

To be honest, I struggled to come up with a succinct title that accurately described what my list actually was. These players are from my Watchlist (which is just my complete list of players I am following for any reason) that are eligible for the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Most of the best players drafted in the upcoming import draft, I expect to be on my list. I considered removing players from the list that I thought were unlikely to be coming over, but I found that it was trickier than one might expect, because there are players that come over from every league, and they come over at different ages. Additionally, the CHL import limits have changed going into next season, and it's beyond me to predict how that will affect the breadth of players that are going to come over. Many players on the list already have committed to playing for various pro teams in leagues like the SHL, Liiga, and KHL.

These players are all potentially high-end junior players, and would be a core player for any team that acquired them. There will be many lower-end (in my current opinion) that will be drafted, that are not on my watchlist. These are all players I would be very excited for my team to get, even if a lot of them are just fantasy.

 

[Trav]

For me, the biggest thing I'm curious to see is how many Russians and Belarussians are picked this year.

Last year, even though they were allowed in again, there weren't many picked and I was told that may have been because a lot of them had already committed to their Russian teams by the time the ban was lifted.

 

[Bra Wavers]

To be honest, I struggled to come up with a succinct title that accurately described what my list actually was. These players are from my Watchlist (which is just my complete list of players I am following for any reason) that are eligible for the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Most of the best players drafted in the upcoming import draft, I expect to be on my list. I considered removing players from the list that I thought were unlikely to be coming over, but I found that it was trickier than one might expect, because there are players that come over from every league, and they come over at different ages. Additionally, the CHL import limits have changed going into next season, and it's beyond me to predict how that will affect the breadth of players that are going to come over. Many players on the list already have committed to playing for various pro teams in leagues like the SHL, Liiga, and KHL.

These players are all potentially high-end junior players, and would be a core player for any team that acquired them. There will be many lower-end (in my current opinion) that will be drafted, that are not on my watchlist. These are all players I would be very excited for my team to get, even if a lot of them are just fantasy.

This all makes perfect sense. I appreciate your response. It will be very interesting to see how teams approach the change to three imports plus the ability to trade picks. It should be interesting to see how the draft plays out in July.

 

[pgfan66]

For me, the biggest thing I'm curious to see is how many Russians and Belarussians are picked this year.

Last year, even though they were allowed in again, there weren't many picked and I was told that may have been because a lot of them had already committed to their Russian teams by the time the ban was lifted.

I think some teams may still fear there could be visa issues for those players too.

 

[dyldude]

Ruslan Karimov and Gleb Semyonov both had difficulties getting visas sorted out. Karimov ended up starting the season in Russia and Semyonov had to bounce to the USHL. Both eventually made it to the CHL - I'd predict things will go smoother this year since there's more notice beforehand.

 

[pgfan66]

Ruslan Karimov and Gleb Semyonov both had difficulties getting visas sorted out. Karimov ended up starting the season in Russia and Semyonov had to bounce to the USHL. Both eventually made it to the CHL - I'd predict things will go smoother this year since there's more notice beforehand.

At least for Semyonov, I don’t think that’s true. He was drafted by London and with Nurmi and Halttunen, they already had two (better) imports. There was never room for him, so they dropped him and he had to go USHL. I actually have no idea how he was able to just go to the WHL after that.

 

[dyldude]

At least for Semyonov, I don’t think that’s true. He was drafted by London and with Nurmi and Halttunen, they already had two (better) imports. There was never room for him, so they dropped him and he had to go USHL. I actually have no idea how he was able to just go to the WHL after that.

From my understanding, he was only able to get a USA visa, the Canadian one was causing issues. He was supposed to join up with London (though, I don't know what their plan was given what you said) and was then able to go to the WHL once he got his visa sorted out entirely.

 

[Trav]

At least for Semyonov, I don’t think that’s true. He was drafted by London and with Nurmi and Halttunen, they already had two (better) imports. There was never room for him, so they dropped him and he had to go USHL. I actually have no idea how he was able to just go to the WHL after that.

It'd be nice if the CHL showed the import draft rules for the public to see...but I don't see that happening any time soon.

Some of the rules (unless they've changed) seem to be that you can put imports on different lists...For instance, if they are an overager or NHL signed. That would explain why London was able to pick up the Russian player even though they had their Finnish imports but since both were NHL signed, oh we get to pick up another player.

As for Semyonov being available to the WHL. I think it's safe to say he went through OHL waivers and then become a free agent for any CHL team to pick up.

Saskatoon picked up Frantisek Dej after the World Juniors this year. He played the season before in the Quebec league and then was released. I guess players that have played here in the CHL are still eligible to be picked up even if they go back home the following season. Dej started this past season in Slovakia.

 

[Bra Wavers]

It'd be nice if the CHL showed the import draft rules for the public to see...but I don't see that happening any time soon.

Some of the rules (unless they've changed) seem to be that you can put imports on different lists...For instance, if they are an overager or NHL signed. That would explain why London was able to pick up the Russian player even though they had their Finnish imports but since both were NHL signed, oh we get to pick up another player.

As for Semyonov being available to the WHL. I think it's safe to say he went through OHL waivers and then become a free agent for any CHL team to pick up.

Saskatoon picked up Frantisek Dej after the World Juniors this year. He played the season before in the Quebec league and then was released. I guess players that have played here in the CHL are still eligible to be picked up even if they go back home the following season. Dej started this past season in Slovakia.

I believe you are correct when it comes to imports who are overagers or NHL signed being on a CHL team's "import reserve list".
I also found this info:

Players on the reserve list must be eligible to return to the OHL as a player, and they must have either signed with a team in the CHL, signed an NLI (National Letter of Intent) with an NCAA team, or signed with a professional team.

I know that the Petes were able to put Rio Kaiser on their reserve list prior to the 2024 Import draft (because he was playing on a pro team in the DEL). So even though they had the rights to Kaiser and Martin Matejicek, they were able to draft Adam Novotny last year. I guess Novotny could be on the reserve list heading into this Import draft since he played pro in Czechia this season.

 

[Bjindaho]

It'd be nice if the CHL showed the import draft rules for the public to see...but I don't see that happening any time soon.

Some of the rules (unless they've changed) seem to be that you can put imports on different lists...For instance, if they are an overager or NHL signed. That would explain why London was able to pick up the Russian player even though they had their Finnish imports but since both were NHL signed, oh we get to pick up another player.

As for Semyonov being available to the WHL. I think it's safe to say he went through OHL waivers and then become a free agent for any CHL team to pick up.

Saskatoon picked up Frantisek Dej after the World Juniors this year. He played the season before in the Quebec league and then was released. I guess players that have played here in the CHL are still eligible to be picked up even if they go back home the following season. Dej started this past season in Slovakia.

There is a 3rd list for players drafted who do not report (it used to be that the team had to use one of their import slots for the player, ie couldn't add a replacement, and got it at the end of the year, but that seems to have changed). For example, Newfoundland still has the rights to Sikora if he wanted to play in the CHL.

On top of that, any 17-19 year-old import is waiver eligible (league then whole CHL) if they are released (to give them a chance to play) and 20s are free agents to sign with any team. A player who is released and not drafted is only eligible to return to his last team as a direct transaction, but if they cannot add the player to their active roster, they would have to waive the player (again, a 20 year-old not on the special list would automatically be a free agent). I don't know the specific rule on this, but I wouldn't be shocked if there was one that prevented Sherbrooke from adding Dej just to trade him (making the first dibs only to bring back someone you drafted).