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.
Players to Watch
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)
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Baie-Comeau Drakkar (#52, #112)
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Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (#22, #82)
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Cape Breton Eagles (#34, #94)
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Charlottetown Islanders (#10, #70)
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Chicoutimi Saguenéens (#28, #88)
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Drummondville Voltigeurs (#49, #109)
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Gatineau Olympiques (#13, #73)
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Halifax Moosehads (#43, #103)
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Moncton Wildcats (#37, #97)
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Quebec Remparts (#4, #64)
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Rimouski Océanic (#31, #91)
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Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (#46, #106)
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Saint John Sea Dogs (#7, #67)
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Shawinigan Cataractes (#16, #76)
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Sherbrooke Phoenix (#25, #85)
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Val d'Or Foreurs (#1, #61)
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Victoriaville Tigres (#40, #100)
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