The CHL import draft is tomorrow and there's plenty of news and information, on what QMJHL teams might do tomorrow. Below, is a condensed summation of all the information, rumours that may guide team's selections tomorrow. The CHL import draft begins tomorrow on July 3rd, 2024 at 11 AM EST.
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RW Matvei Gridin
The CHL has re-instated Russian and Belarussian players as eligible to be selected in the import draft. Given this, expect Calgary Flames 2024 first rounder, Russian right winger Matvei Gridin, to be one of the top selections in the import draft tomorrow.
Scott Wheeler of the Athletic mentioned that Gridin would have gone the CHL route if not for the ban and more recently, Artyom Levshunov said via Elite Prospects' Sean Shapiro that as of the combine in June. Gridin was still deciding between the CHL and following through on his commitment to the University of Michigan. This is corroborated further by Recuites' Grant McCagg, who said last month that he is heard that Gridin won't be going to Michigan next year, opting to play in the CHL. Gridin had 83 points over 63 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, which led the entire league in points.
D Artyom Levshunov
It also wouldn't be a shock to see Levshunov get his name called either, as the 2024 second overall pick would've also went to the CHL if he was allowed at the time according to Wheeler. Levshunov had 35 points across 38 games last year with Michigan State -- higher draft year point totals than star blueliners Zach Werenski, Charlie McAvoy and Quinn Hughes. That said, the fans of whichever team drafts the hulking Belarussian defenseman tomorrow shouldn't get their hopes up as it's possible Arty turns pro next season, or remains in college with MSU.
C Miroslav Holinka
The 2024 Toronto Maple Leafs fifth rounder, Czech centerman Miroslav Holinka, is also a player to watch. Per The Score's Kyle Cushman, Wes Clark -- who is the Leafs' director of player personnel and amateurs scouting -- indicated that Holinka may come over to North America this upcoming season. He's already been drafted by the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL in the 15th round, but could very well end up in the CHL. Holinka, 18, had 41 points in 21 Czech under-20 games, and three points over 16 games with Trinec of the Czech Extraliga, the top Czech men's league.
G Mikus Vecvenags
As for between the pipes, the director of player personnel and amateur scouting for the Montreal Canadiens, Martin Lapointe, let it slip at the NHL draft that Latvian goaltender Mikus Vecvenags is expected to play for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada next season. Vecvenags has not been taken previously in the CHL import draft and so it's possible that while Vecvenags is expected to report to Blainville if they draft him, another team may scoop him up earlier.
Sometimes doing that works, as Pavel Zacha was linked to the Quebec Remparts in the 2014 import draft but was taken by Sarnia of the OHL -- where he would go on to report. Sometimes it doesn't, such as Juraj Pekarcik not reporting to Acadie-Bathurst last season despite being taken second overall.
LW Ilya Protas
Belarussian winger Ilya Protas may be an option at the CHL import draft as well. Drafted 75th by Washington this year -- the same team that drafted his brothet Aliaksei -- he may follow in his brother's footsteps by playing in the CHL now that he's allowed in the draft. Aliaksei played for Prince Albert in the WHL, but Ilya could feasibly get selected by any team from the three CHL leagues. Ilya had 51 points over 61 games in the USHL and notably hasn't committed to the NCAA.
LW Igor Chernyshov
A final major player to keep track of is Russian left winger Igor Chernyshov, who the San Jose Sharks drafted with the 33rd selection of this year's draft. According to a report from Hockey News Hub -- who was the first source on Michkov to the Flyers this off-season and many other stories out of Russia -- Chernyshov may head to North America. There's some reason to doubt this report as he is still under contract with the KHL's Dynamo Moscow next season, but it's not unreasonable. Chernyshov had four points over 34 games in the KHL whilst averaging eight minutes a game. In Russian juniors, he was electric netting 28 points in just 22 games. If Chernyshov doesn't look to have a prominent enough role on the team, he may get let to walk to play in North America where he'd certainly get top line minutes and a slot on special teams.
Teams
Acadie-Bathurst Titan (#19, #79)
- French goaltender Antoine Keller has signed with Lausanne of the National League, opening up an import selection for the team. He had an .897 over 37 games with Bathurst.
- It is unclear, but feels unlikely that Swiss forward Yannik Ponzetto will continue in the QMJHL after only netting 14 points over 68 games with three teams.
Baie-Comeau Drakkar (#52, #112)
- Latvian defender Niks Fenenko has signed with Jokerit of Mestis -- Finnish second league, meaning that Baie-Comeau will have an import spot opening up. Fenenko has 121 points over 173 games with Baie-Comeau.
- Czech forward Matyas Melovsky could return as an overager, on the back of a 60-point campaign that got him drafted #171st by New Jersey this year, but he would also be able play professional in North America too within the Devils organization.
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (#22, #82)
- The Armada had no imports on their team to end out the season and thus have two import slots.
- As mentioned above, Latvian goaltender Mikus Vecvenags, who was just taken 5th round by the Montreal Canadiens, is expected to play in Blainville next year according to Martin Lapointe, He has not been taken yet by Blainville and so it's possible that while Vecvenags is expected to report to Blainville if they draft him, another team may scoop him up earlier. Sometimes it works, as Pavel Zacha was at one point linked to the Remparts but was taken by Sarnia of the OHL -- where he reported. Sometimes it doesn't, such as Juraj Pekarcik not reporting to Acadie-Bathurst last season despite being taken second overall.
Cape Breton Eagles (#34, #94)
- Czech goalie Jakub Milota was just selected #99th overall by the Nashville Predators, and will likely assume the starting role on Cape Breton with the departure of Nicolas Ruccia.
- Czech blueliner Tomas Cibulka will likely not return for his overage season, as the team had acquired another Czech defenseman Ales Zielinski from Moncton earlier this off-season. He had 102 points over 191 games in the QMJHL, split between Val D'Or and Cape Breton.
- It shouldn't be expected that Cape Breton will bring over any of their imports this season, barring a trade.
Charlottetown Islanders (#10, #70)
- Slovakian center Ondrej Maruna will be parting the Islanders, he had 16 points across 56 games.
- The team acquired overage Russian forward Yegor Goryunov this off-season from Victoriaville, who should replace Maruna and bolster the team offensively. That said, because Goryunov is an overager, he will count towards the overager tally and not the import tally, which will allow the team to bring over pick #70 as well.
- It's probable that Latvian goaltender Aksels Ozols' will return to Charlottetown.
Chicoutimi Saguenéens (#28, #88)
- German blueliner Norwin Panocha is confirmed to be back for Chicoutimi next season. He was a 7th round pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2023 NHL entry draft.
- I cannot confirm or infer whether Latvian defenseman Peteris Bulans will return, but unless they get a dynamic player in the Import draft that commits, he probably should be back. Bulans had 42 points last year and he's not even an overager.
Drummondville Voltigeurs (#49, #109)
- Russian defenseman Vsevolod Komarov will officially turn pro next season within the Buffalo Sabres organization, who took him in the 5th round of the 2022 NHL draft. This opens up an import slot for Drummondville. Komarov had 129 points over 187 games in the QMJHL with the Quebec Remparts and the Volts, winning two championships and a Memorial Cup.
- It's unclear whether Slovak forward Peter Repcik will be back next season as an overager, but if he is, he will be among Drummondville's top players as he scored 61 points over 54 games this year.
Gatineau Olympiques (#13, #73)
- The Gatineau Olympiques may be one of the biggest wild cards regarding what they may do at the import draft.
- Slovenian defenseman Jan Golicic should return next year, given his strong production (31 points) and play over 65 games, that got him selected 118th by the Tampa Bay Lightning this year.
- Norwegian forward Sander Wold is a more intriguing case. Wold's 26 points over 59 games is a little disappointing, but he was great in Swedish juniors last year. Do they hope he bounces back with another year of adjustment to the North American game, or do they find a replacement with 13th overall?
Halifax Moosehads (#43, #103)
- Defender David Moravec has signed in Czechia with Karlovy Vary, not returning for his overage season. He had 49 points across 124 QMJHL games. This will open a slot for a potential import.
- His Czech teammate this past year, Jan Sprynar, has also signed in Czechia with Litvinov. The right winger had 78 points over 127 games in the QMJHL with Rimouski, Shawinigan and Halifax.
Moncton Wildcats (#37, #97)
- With the departure of Czech defender Ales Zielinski to Cape Breton, Moncton has at least cleared up one import slot.
- They could clear another should Czech center Sebastian Glas not return next season. Glas will be a 2025 draft eligible, although his nine points over 52 games and only one game played in the playoffs doesn't give much confidence to his return next year.
Quebec Remparts (#4, #64)
- It's very likely the Quebec Remparts are targeting players with both picks who could come over this season as their two imports last year have left for pro hockey.
- Finnish defenseman Bruno Jalasti signed with HIFK in Finland after one season in the QMJHL scoring 10 points in 56 games.
- Bulgarian defenseman Nino Tomov has departed for Czechia, signing with Litomerice in the Czech second division after completing two QMJHL seasons. He had 41 points over 136 games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs and the Quebec Remparts.
Rimouski Océanic (#31, #91)
- The upcoming Memorial Cup hosts have some decisions to make come tomorrow as they will look for impact players to help bolster their roster.
- Russian forward Maxim Barbashev has aged out of the QMJHL. He potted 152 points over 195 QMJHL games with Moncton, Shawinigan and Rimouski.
- Further, it wouldn't be surprising if Czech forward Jakub Hujer doesn't return next season, as while he is a great defensive forward, the offense hasn't gotten going and he will be an overager next season if brought back too.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (#46, #106)
- The Belarussian wingers Andrei Loshko and Daniil Bourosh could both be back next year. Bourosh had 59 points in 65 games last year. He would be an overager next year, and so even if he stays it would open up an import slot. Meanwhile Loshko, a 2023 Seattle Kraken fourth rounder, may continue in the QMJHL after hitting 67 points last year.
- That said, if a younger impact player is available and is willing to commit to the Huskies or they decide that Bourosh is not among the three overagers they'd like to keep next season, the Huskies plans could change drastically.
Saint John Sea Dogs (#7, #67)
- Latvian RW Eriks Mateiko will return to the Saint John Sea Dogs next season after a 43-point season (in 49 games) that ended with his selection at 90th overall in the 2024 NHL draft by the Washington Capitals.
- The Saint John have released Czech left winger Pavel Simek, opening up a roster spot for a potential import. Simek had 67 points across 129 games with the Sea Dogs in the QMJHL.
Shawinigan Cataractes (#16, #76)
- Czech left winger Jiri Klima was the Cataractes sole import to end the season, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he was back next season. Klima was scoring at a near point-per-game pace to end the season after a disastrous start, His play since January likely renewed Shawinigan's confidence in the 18-year old moving forward.
Sherbrooke Phoenix (#25, #85)
- It's unclear whether Czech centerman Frantisek Dej will return. The tall centerman only had 16 points last year, and generally import slots are valuable and reserved for high performers which he wasn't last year. That said, he is only 18 still and Sherbrooke has an extra slot available so it's possible he may return should the team think he can take a leap next season after a year of adjusting to North American ice.
Val d'Or Foreurs (#1, #61)
- Val D'Or will have a lot of things to consider, given they have the first overall selection. The team already has an open import slot, as they finished last year with only one. So there's at least room for whoever they take first to come over, but most notably, if they choose to grab a player with pick #61.
- Val d'Or's import last year, Czech forward Samuel Fiala, was solid. He had 23 points -- 14 of which goals -- over 60 games. Although, if they can get another decent player with pick #61, Fiala's totals may not be enough to convince Val d'Or to move forward with him.
Victoriaville Tigres (#40, #100)
- Victoriaville, too, has an open import slot with the departure of Russian right winger Yegor Goryunov to Charlottetown.
- As for Nikita Prishchepov, he can return as an overager, but that may be up to the Colorado Avalnche who drafted him last season in the 7th round. Should they feel he is ready, he is eligible to play pro in North America in the Avs system. Or, perhaps he can go overseas to Russia at the chance of playing professional hockey there. Either option would open up yet another slot for Victoriaville.