2025 CHL Import Draft

[Trav]

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).

It would make sense if they changed the rule that if a player doesn't report, you could now keep his rights and add someone else.. The more imports in the league, the better I think. Of course they should be good players though.

Speaking of twenty year old imports, Saskatoon acquired one earlier this month from Brandon. Forward Dominik Petr. I was quite surprised when the trade was announced. That gives the Blades two imports so far in the upcoming season. I am curious though if they try and take two in the draft since Petr is an over-ager or if that rule changed. Would be kinda nice if they can take a high gamble in the second round lol and then have three in Petr, Lewandowski and whoever the first round pick is.

 

[czech]

Huk, Ruml, Kurka, Fodor, Tomanek, Novak, Reisnecker, Katolicky, Klaus, Belohorsky, Danek can be selected from the Czech 08th. Goaltenders: Larys, Poletin, Psohlavec, Charvat.
From the 07th Dravecky, Kucharcik, Mikes, Rozsival, goaltender Trejbal...

 

[Holtbyisms]

Might report next season:
Luka Radivojevic (probably won't go NCAA, but will move to CHL for 1 more year)
Tobias Tomik (draft year, he has already announced that he is 100% going to the CHL)
Jan Chovan (stagnating in Finland, he wanted to go there already this season)
Adam Nemec (the smallest chance for a report, but still there is some, Nitra will focus mainly on Tomas Chrenko's development and Nemec's overseas would help in development more)
Tomas Pobezal (stagnation in Nitra, lower offensive potential and slow Slovak league didn't help him much, he needs to play faster league, high chance to move to OHL)

Players expect to be picked:
Michal Svrcek
Michal Capos
Alex Misiak
Alex Zalesak
Martin Kalis
Samuel Murin
Jakub Dubravik
Matus Lisy
Ivan Bercik
Ivan Matta
Alexej Kubat
Adam Goljer
Lucas Novak (I don't think he even needs to be drafted, he doesn't need to be considered an import, if I'm not mistaken, it was already clear a few months ago that he's going to try-out for an unnamed CHL club in the summer)
Matej Stankoven
Tobias Zvolensky
Leo Habda
Samuel Hybsky
Juraj Rausa

I got to see all of Capos games in the NAHL this past season. He looked pretty good but the new coach had recently moved up from the NCDC and drug all his former players up a tier with him. He trusted them over younger players and I think it eventually forced Capos to leave for more playing time because he was getting healthy scratched. I liked what I saw though, can't teach his size and he moves really well for it. Smooth outlets and he's very positionally sound and uses angles well to cut off attacking players with the boards. Would have liked to see him a bit more physical but he was pretty young in a new league so I guess timidness is to be expected.