Wednesday, June 29, 2011

DOGS PASS ON IMPORT DRAFT

As expected, the Saint John Sea Dogs passed on the 2011 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.

The Sea Dogs held picks No. 53 and No. 110 entering the draft but did not use either pick. The Dogs were not expected to select with both Stanislav Galiev and Tomas Jurco likely to return next season.

It was a busy day for several Quebec Major Junior Hockey League clubs, though. Even Strength has a full QMJHL breakdown.

With the second overall pick the Quebec Remparts selected forward Mikhail Grigorenko. The highly touted Russian went to the Remparts after the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights took Olli Maatta with the top pick in the draft.

Grigorenko “may be the best Russian since Ovechkin, Malkin” tweeted Dmitry Chesnokov of Puck Daddy fame.

He could challenge for the first overall pick in next year’s NHL Entry Draft. From Puck Agency:

Many consider the 6’2″, 191-pound forward to be the best Russian player born in 1994 (17 years old). Grigorenko is so good that he is the captain of the 1993-born Russian national team. He is also projected to be a Top 5 pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft considering he is great on his skates, has great hands, can see the ice very well, and has tremendous scoring ability with and without the puck.


It’s always nice to see a big time prospect land in the QMJHL. The Remparts will play at least once at Harbour Station next year.

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