If entry draft picks are called 'magic beans', then import draft picks are complete voodoo. Some players are able to dominate from their first game and others seem destined for a bonafide junior career yet fizzle out before they could even get going.
Cape Breton Eagles defenseman Ales Zielinski seemingly just wasn't able to get going, as after two seasons of stagnancy, he heads back home to Czechia.
Zielinski, 18, had 10 points (2+8) across 40 games with the Cape Breton Eagles this season, who had acquired him from the Moncton Wildcats this summer for a third round pick.
The Wildcats were Zielinski's entry-point into the CHL, having drafted the six-foot right shot defender in the first round of the 2023 import draft at pick 35. The Hlinka-Gretzky silver medalist would pick up 11 points (2+9) across 58 games with the team in his rookie season.
All in all, Zielinski's QMJHL career seemingly ends just shy of the 100 game mark, with 21 points (4+17) across 98 games.
The decision to leave was entirely Zielinski's, with general manager Sylvain Couturier mentioning in the press release that the team is disappointed in his decision as they are unable to find a replacement with the deadline passed.