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2025 CHL Import Draft

Bjindaho said:
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).
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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.
 
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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...
 
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hellwar9 said:
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
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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.
 
@cvandenberg22 posted this on the CHL Import DRAFT 2025 Players to watch forum.
It's a great list that should be shared here as well.
It will be interesting to see which of these players will be willing to come to the CHL.

Top 2008 born players eligible for the CHL IMPORT DRAFT
Viggo Bjorck, 5-9, C, Sweden
Niklas Aarem-Olsen, 6-0, RW, Norway
Simon Katolicky, 6-4, LW, Czech Republic
Alexei Vlasov, 5-9, LW, Russia, Sioux Falls (USHL)
Yegor Shilov, 6-1, C, Russia, Green Bay (USHL)
Nikita Klyopov, 5-11, LW, Russia, Sioux City (USHL)
Ilia Morozov, 6-3, LW, Russia, Tri-City (USHL)
Samuel Hrenak, 6-4, G, Slovakia
Adam Goljer, 6-2, RD, Slovakia
Timothy Kazda, 6-1, LW, Slovakia, Chicago (USHL)
Olivers Murnieks, 6-1, C, Latvia, Sioux Falls (USHL)
Rudolfs Berzklns, 6-4, LW, Latvia, Muskegon (USHL)
Malte Gustafsson, 6-4, LD, Sweden
Oscar Holmertz, 6-0, C, Sweden
Elton Hermansson, 6-1, RW,Sweden
Viktor Fyodorov, 5-10, C, Russia
Darian Rolsing, 6-6, RD, Germany
Filip Novak, 6-2, RW, Czech Republic
Nikita Ovcharov, 6-2, LW, Russia
Rasmus Rinne, 5-10, RW, Finland
Ola Palme, 6-1, LD, Sweden
Juho Piiparinen, 6-3, RD, Finland
Marcus Nordmark, 6-1, RW, Sweden
Petr Tomek, 5-10, C, Czech Republic
Fabrice Bouvard 6-1, C, Switzerland
Roberts Naudins, 6-6, LW, Latvia (Shattucks)
Mans Jobrant, LW, Sweden
Raphael Achermann, 5-11, LW, Switzerland
Martins Klaucans, 6-0, LW, Latvia, (St. Cloud NAHL)
Nils Bartholdsson, 5-9, RW, Sweden
Samuel Stromberg, 5-10, C, Finland
Bosse Meijer, 5-10, C, Sweden
Ilya Kolmakov, 5-7, LW, Russia, Fargo (USHL)
Alexei Zhukov, 6-0, RW, Russia, Fargo (USHL)

2025 CHL IMPORT DRAFT TOP LATE 2007 PLAYERS (2026 NHL DRAFT)
Ivan Stenberg, 6-0, LW, Sweden
Vladimir Dravecky, 6-0, RD, Czech Republic
Arseni Ilyin, 6-2, RW, Russia
William Hakansson, 6-4, LD, Sweden
Torkel Jennersjo, 5-10, C, Sweden, Dubuque (USHL)
Axel Brongel-Larsson, 6-1, LD, Sweden
Axel Elofsson, 6-1, LD, Sweden
Tobias Trejbal, 6-4, G, Czech Republic
Joonas Rajala, 5-9, F, Finland
Jakob Seidl, 6-0, RD, Czech Republic
 
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Sharks Director of Player Development Todd Marchant mentioned in a podcast a few weeks ago that a few teams expressed interest in drafting Sharks 2024 pick G Christian Kirsch.

Not sure if it's likely though since his heart is set on going to UMass Amherst.
 
Patty Ice said:
Sharks Director of Player Development Todd Marchant mentioned in a podcast a few weeks ago that a few teams expressed interest in drafting Sharks 2024 pick G Christian Kirsch.

Not sure if it's likely though since his heart is set on going to UMass Amherst.
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Would be a 1 in done and that happens all the time.

Unless he would prefer to go to the Chicago steel who have fallen off tremendously in recent years you’d have to assume someone in the CHL drafts him and plays him 40-50 games.
 
Kingpin794 said:
Probably aiming for Ryabkin or Benak if they do this.
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Confirmed that the Rockets have acquired that 1st overall pick. They have a history of success with Czech forwards, so wouldn't be surprising if that is the plan (Benak). They also have the 7th pick and we all know this draft is agent driven and what agent wouldn't want their top prospects to get a guaranteed Memorial Cup showcase as a go-to guy on an overhauled roster. Kelowna will be adding two studs in this draft as they continue to piece together a contender!
 
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Larry Fisher said:
Confirmed that the Rockets have acquired that 1st overall pick. They have a history of success with Czech forwards, so wouldn't be surprising if that is the plan (Benak). They also have the 7th pick and we all know this draft is agent driven and what agent wouldn't want their top prospects to get a guaranteed Memorial Cup showcase as a go-to guy on an overhauled roster. Kelowna will be adding two studs in this draft as they continue to piece together a contender!
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Yes very smart.

Glad they’re allowing the teams the ability to trade import picks now. If Kelowna has success this year with their 2 in the top 7 overall I think we see a trend of memorial cup hosts try the same plan.

Ryabkin should absolutely be one of the top picks. Perhaps THE top pick. No chance he stays in USHL.

Will be interesting to see where a player like Viggo Bjorck goes. If someone picks him with their first perhaps they have a deal lined up. Although I think he stays in Europe and gets drafted with a 2nd/3rd round pick just to hold the rights
 
frontsfan67 said:
Imagine we see this guy go top 10 too.

Croatian which is really interesting

www.eliteprospects.com

Bruno Idzan - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Bruno Idzan, 2006-01-16 Zagreb, CRO Croatia. Most recently in the USHL with Lincoln Stars. Complete player biography and stats.
www.eliteprospects.com www.eliteprospects.com
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Probably won’t go that early. Also a good chance he goes to Wisconsin next season.
 
frontsfan67 said:
Over a PPG in USHL which is comparable to the CHL- gotta imagine he does just as good (or better) as a year older in the CHL.

Says he’s committed for 2026/27 to Wisconsin
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I know the player better than most everyone else on the internet I would select him in the first round this season. Can only play one season, and good chance he goes NCAA. He won’t be going that high in the draft I would think.
 
LeProspector said:
I know the player better than most everyone else on the internet I would select him in the first round this season. Can only play one season, and good chance he goes NCAA. He won’t be going that high in the draft I would think.
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A guy like ryabkin likely goes really high potentially top 2 being a 1 and done because there’s 2 teams right at the top going for it (and traded up) and the CHL is way better than the USHL- so if ryabkin plans on staying in North America it’s best to play in the CHL. Idzan falls into same category if he doesn’t go NCAA

Teams like Brantford and Kelowna who are clearly going for it and clearly traded up for a reason will value those type of guys. Some teams will want the imports that are there 2 or even 3 years but some will just pick the best available player. Look at Windsor last year when they got protas and I’d be shocked if he’s back next year

A lot of the teams pick the imports based on their competitive window.
 
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frontsfan67 said:
A guy like ryabkin likely goes really high potentially top 2 being a 1 and done because there’s 2 teams right at the top going for it (and traded up) and the CHL is way better than the USHL- so if ryabkin plans on staying in North America it’s best to play in the CHL. Idzan falls into same category if he doesn’t go NCAA

Teams like Brantford and Kelowna who are clearly going for it and clearly traded up for a reason will value those type of guys. Some teams will want the imports that are there 2 or even 3 years but some will just pick the best available player. Look at Windsor last year when they got protas and I’d be shocked if he’s back next year

A lot of the teams pick the imports based on their competitive window.
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Ryabkin can and likely will play 2 years, same with Benak since they’re ‘07’s. there is the option of them coming back.

Idzan as an ‘06 doesn’t have that possibly. What’s so hard to understand about this kiddo?
 
LeProspector said:
Ryabkin can and likely will play 2 years, same with Benak since they’re ‘07’s.
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We will see they’ll be drafted out of the USHL so believe they can play AHL at 19.
LeProspector said:
there is the option of them coming back.

Idzan as an ‘06 doesn’t have that possibly.
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Let me remind you he is committed to the NCAA for 2026/27 (this coming year is 2025/26) and he doesn’t have a team lined up right now. Who’s to say he doesn’t have the option of going to the CHL? If he gets drafted to Kelowna and gets to play in the mem cup and on a top team in the WHL you don’t think he’d go?
 
frontsfan67 said:
Yes very smart.

Glad they’re allowing the teams the ability to trade import picks now. If Kelowna has success this year with their 2 in the top 7 overall I think we see a trend of memorial cup hosts try the same plan.

Ryabkin should absolutely be one of the top picks. Perhaps THE top pick. No chance he stays in USHL.

Will be interesting to see where a player like Viggo Bjorck goes. If someone picks him with their first perhaps they have a deal lined up. Although I think he stays in Europe and gets drafted with a 2nd/3rd round pick just to hold the rights
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Not denying the possibility of Ryabkin being a top pick, but boy, I would not want to burn a late 1st in the bantam draft to pickup a guy with these types of character issues. I'd argue in my viewings he was the 4th best player on his team. Not the best. The import pick and the 3rd whatever. Kelowna has to be looking at someone else no?
 
Doctor Aft said:
Not denying the possibility of Ryabkin being a top pick, but boy, I would not want to burn a late 1st in the bantam draft to pickup a guy with these types of character issues. I'd argue in my viewings he was the 4th best player on his team. Not the best. The import pick and the 3rd whatever. Kelowna has to be looking at someone else no?
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If you’re going for it you don’t need that first round pick that will be on the team in 2 years anyways. That’ll be out of the competitive window

I’d probably compare Ryabkin to Matvei gridin of last years draft. Gridin had 79 pts in 56 games for a 1.41 ppg. I’d take that on my team all day especially if you are picking a young player that may not pan out. Even if Ryabkin wouldn’t be as good as gridin and just has about 80 pts in like 65 games that’s a very good pickup for a team trying to win their league and the memorial cup. Take in the consideration that you POTENTIALLY are getting a 2 year player and the trade is even better.
 
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