CHL Import Draft happening Wednesday

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

The Saint John Sea Dogs are expected to pick just once in Wednesday's 2024 CHL Import Draft.

The team announced Tuesday that Latvian forward Eriks Mateiko will return for a third season with the club this fall while Czech forward Pavel Simek has been released. Both players were selected in the 2022 CHL Import Draft.

The roster announcements are noteworthy for a couple reasons. It would appear that Mateiko, who will be one of the QMJHL's top imports next season, will start the season with the club but will no doubt continue to draw trade interest. A draft pick of the Washington Capitals last weekend, he could be the team's captain come September.

Simek, meanwhile, posted a respectable 18 goals and 20 assists in 68 games with the Sea Dogs last season, his second year with the team.

“We wanted to respect Pavel’s request as he’d like to pursue other opportunities,” said Sea Dogs general manager Anthony Stella in a news release. “We want to thank him for the last two seasons and wish him the best of luck.”

Saint John is scheduled to pick seventh overall in Wednesday's draft, which begins at noon Atlantic and can be followed on the CHL website. The Val-d'Or Foreurs will select first overall followed by the WHL's Kamloops Blazers and OHL's Windsor Spitfires.

The CHL Import Draft is more about who you know in the hockey world than where you are selecting – but picking high does help ensure you aren't thrown any curveballs.  The Sea Dogs will likely have a high pick again next year.

“We’re excited about this draft and how high we’ll be picking," added Stella. "We’ll be poised to improve our team this week.”