A fan requested that we publish a list of some of the eligible and potentially available players for the upcoming Import Draft. Here are a few names that have been bandied about, courtesy of Brayden Sullivan of Draft Geek! You can find him @sullydraftgeek on twitter.
Name: Ostap Safin (1999-02-11)
H/W: 6’4/198lbs
Nation: Czech Republic
Team: HC Sparta Praha (Czech)
Stats: 8GP-1G-1A-2Pts
NHL Draft: 2017 Eligible
Notes: Two way player with good speed for his size, Physical presence with good puck control and puck protection.
Name: Andrei Svechnikov (2000-03-26)
H/W: 6’2/185lbs
Nation: Russia
Team: Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Stats: 29GP-19G-17A-36Pts
NHL Draft: 2018 Eligible
Notes: Could be eligible for OHL Draft. Big skilled player who recognizes lanes well and attacks the gaps, dangerous outside shot.
Name: Aapeli Rasanen (1998-06-01)
H/W: 6’0/196lbs
Nation: Finland
Team: Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Stats: 20GP-4G-12A-16Pts
NHL Draft: Edmonton Oilers 6th round (2016)
Notes: Defensively responsible center that can bring some offense, had an outstanding WJC for Finland. Watch for Oil Kings as possible suitors.
Name: Georgi Ivanov (1998-09-25)
H/W: 6’0/187lbs
Nation: Russia
Team: Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
Stats: 38GP-10G-9A-19Pts
NHL Draft: 2017 Eligible
Notes: Bit of a long shot. Impressed at the Ivan Hlinka a couple years ago.
Name: Dominik Bokk (2000-02-03)
H/W: 5’11/154lbs
Nation: Germany
Team: Kolner EC (DNL)
Stats: 19GP-9G-19A-28Pts
NHL Draft: 2018 Eligible
Notes: High end skater with an outside wrist shot, lacks size but makes up for it with skill and quickness. Putting up impressive numbers in the German league.
Name: Samuel Fagemo (2000-03-14)
H/W: 5’11/194lbs
Nation: Sweden
Team: Frolunda HC (SuperElit)
Stats: 6GP-1G-1A-2Pts
NHL Draft: 2018 Eligible
Notes: Very impressive WJ-U17 showcasing this year. Offensively minded winger with the scoring touch, drives the offense of his line.
Name: Nando Eggenberger (1999-10-07)
H/W: 6’2/185lbs
Nation: Switzerland
Team: HC Davos (NLA)
Stats: 21GP-4G-0A-4Pts
NHL Draft: 2018 Eligible
Notes: Big bodied winger who is an excellent net front presence. Played player WJC as a 16 year old.
Name: Jacob Cederholm (1998-01-30)
H/W: 6’4/187lbs
Nation: Russia
Team: IK Pantern (Allsvenskan)
Stats: 26GP-1G-5A-6Pts
NHL Draft: Winnipeg Jets 4th round (2016)
Notes: Defensively sound defender with a good first pass. Stay at home type of game who can play a shutdown role. Personal favourite from 2015-16 Ivan Hlinka. Younger sibling of Anton Cederholm.
Name: Kirill Slepets (1999-04-06)
H/W: 5’10/146lbs
Nation: Russia
Team: Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
Stats: 36GP-8G-6A-14Pts
NHL Draft: 2017 Eligible
Notes: Smaller player who brings quickness and speed with the puck, deadly when leading the rush. Solid World Junior-A performance last year against Canada, could be a steal in this years NHL draft.
Name: Lukas Wernblom (2000-07-22)
H/W: 5’9/154lbs
Nation: Sweden
Team: MODO (Allsvenskan)
Stats: 20GP-3G-1A-4Pts
NHL Draft: 2018 Eligible
Notes: Should come if MODO does not get promoted. Smaller skilled player with good playmaking abilities. Powerful skater.