Sea Dogs Select Siska 9th Overall

The Saint John Sea Dogs acquired a Slovakian centre in Wednesday’s 2013 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.

Saint John used the ninth overall selection to pick Juraj Siska who spent the 2012-13 season with HC Nitra in Slovakia's Under-20 league. He registered a point-per-game in 27 contests, scoring 12 goals and adding 15 assists.

Siska, who the CHL website lists at 6’2” and 194lbs, just turned 17 this past May.

"Juraj Siska is a big forward who can play a power game," said Sea Dogs head coach and General Manager Mike Kelly in a team release. "We know he is recovering from an injury that could potentially delay his arrival, but we felt it would be worth the wait. Those big forwards can dominate as 18 and 19 year olds and we feel he will compliment the speed and skill of the players we currently have. We are thrilled to have Juraj as part of the Sea Dog family." 

Siska was also a third-round selection by HC Slovan Bratislava in the KHL Draft but, judging by what Kelly said in the team release, it doesn’t sound like there will be any issues getting him to report to Saint John.

The Sea Dogs could definitely struggle offensively this season with their young roster but hopefully Siska will be able to step in and help out.

“Skilled pivot who played as an underager at the 2011 U17,” tweeted Sean Lafortune of McKeen’s Hockey. “Has the ability, agility and tricky one on one.”

Elite Prospects has more stats on Siska. Here’s a video of him scoring a goal at some tournament:

Saint John also had the 69^th overall pick in the Import Draft but did not use it. Siska and defenseman Jurij Repe are expected to be the club’s import players for the 2013-14 campaign.