Sea Dogs swing big in Import Draft

The Saint John Sea Dogs appear to have swung for the fences during Tuesday's CHL Import Draft.

The Sea Dogs used their first pick - which ended up being 19th overall with four teams passing - on 17-year-old Russian forward Fyodor Svechkov, who is eligible for the 2021 NHL Draft.

Svechkov had an impressive six goals and two assists six games with Russia at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, which was good for third in tournament scoring.

Svechkov registered four goals and two assists in 24 games with the Ladia Togliatti junior team last season. The biggest question is whether or not he'll report to Saint John this season, which is often the major question with imports - particularly Russian players.

Svechkov is pick by the #seadogs wow! A player who can have a good impact for his team. He is good to go in the danger area, strong with the puck, good to take the possession of the puck but is skating ability is kind of weak. #qmjhl

— alex more (@alexmorehockey) June 30, 2020

Saint John swung big at Fyodor Svechkov. He was a big part in Russia winning U17 gold. Massive get if he goes. Saint John is really doing something with a ton of young talent

— TPEHockey (@TPEHockey) June 30, 2020

Svechkov, it appears, is expected or planning on playing in Russia this upcoming season having signed a contract earlier this year - but we'll see what happens. The COVID-19 pandemic will obviously impact things as well. The good news is that Svechkov is the same age as much of Saint John's core, so even reporting in 2021 could be beneficial.

The Sea Dogs made an interesting pick in the second round, selecting 18-year-old Czech defenseman Jan Hampl. Listed at 6'03 and 209 lbs, Hampl could be the type of shutdown defenseman Saint John doesn't currently have in its lineup.

According to Elite Prospects, Hampl is expected to play for HC Benatky nad Jizerou this coming season, so we'll see what happens there.

UPDATE: Sea Dogs president and general manager Trevor Georgie on Hampl: “He is committed to coming to the Sea Dogs next season. He is an 18-year-old NHL draft eligible defenceman who brings a different element to our top six. He isn’t flashy, he’s a big, steady, and simple two-way defenceman who takes care of his own end first and has experience in the Czech Men’s League.”

Hampl was ranked 108th amongst European skaters for this year's NHL Draft.

Indications were that the Sea Dogs were looking at adding two forwards in this year's Import Draft. But with Joona Lehmus released, it does make some sense that the Dogs would add a D - especially the type of big body, shutdown player that Saint John's lineup could use.

"Haven’t paid a ton of attention to Hampl," tweeted The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. "Doesn’t have an NHL future but sometimes those are the best imports. David Maier became an excellent D for Peterborough this year with the same kind of trajectory.

"Svechkov’s more of a wild card. Much higher upside and a legit prospect."

The full results of Tuesday's CHL Import Draft can be found here.