CHL Import Draft Tomorrow

The Saint John Sea Dogs roster revamp will continue tomorrow morning when the 2012 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft takes place. The draft, done online, begins at 10am Atlantic.

As the CHL website explains, “the two-round draft will take place online with the order of selection rotating through each of the CHL’s three leagues using an inverse order of final regular season standings from the 2011-12 season.  Each team in the CHL is permitted to carry two European import players each season who are selected annually through the CHL Import Draft.  Teams are permitted to trade draft picks up to and during the CHL Import Draft process with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats currently holding the number one pick acquired by trade with the Sherbrooke Phoenix.  The WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders currently hold the second selection, followed by the OHL’s Erie Otters at number three.”

The Sea Dogs currently hold three picks in the draft so they do have the option of moving a pick if they so wish. They have two first round selections (34^th and 52^nd) and a second round pick (112^th). Their top pick, 34^th overall, was originally Rimouski’s pick but was acquired via trade in January.

Whoever Saint John picks tomorrow, they have some big shoes to fill. Stanislav Galiev and Tomas Jurco, both of whom have become legit NHL prospects, played major roles with the Sea Dogs over the past three years.

The Sea Dogs haven’t made a selection in the Import Draft since 2009 when they picked Galiev first overall and Jurco fourth overall. They've made six picks all-time at the Import Draft.

In franchise history, the Sea Dogs have selected four forwards, a defenseman, and a goaltender. Saint John currently has room at every position so they have a lot of possibilities tomorrow.

There are also plenty of questions heading into the draft. Will the Sea Dogs trade up? Will they draft a younger player they can get a few years out of or will they pick an older player? Will we be able to locate their hometown on a map? How many vowels will their name have?

Moncton has the first overall pick and Cape Breton picks seventh. There is going to some solid talent in the Maritimes Division next season.

Photo credit: Marc Henwood/Station Nation