The decision of a returning star helped cement the Kelowna Rockets plans for this year’s CHL Import Draft.
Before the draft, the Rockets announced that Pavel Novak is returning for the 2021-22 season. The 13th overall pick at the 2019 edition of the CHL Import Draft led the Rockets with 58 points in 55 games in the 2019-2020 season. Novak was loaned to HC Stadion Litomerice in 2020-21 where he played four games and had two assists.
With the 44th pick, the Rockets took fellow Czech Gabriel Szturc.
The Cesky Tesin, CZE native spent the majority of last season on loan with HC Slovan Usti nad Labem. Szturc scored one goal and had five assists in 16 games. Szturc also played 11 games with BK Mlada Boleslav U20 where he posted two goals and four assists.
The 5-foot-10, 172-pound left-shot centre also represented the Czech Republic at the U18s. He scored three goals and added one assist. The team finished a disappointing seventh overall at the tournament.
Due to his late birthdate, the 17-year-old Szturc will not be eligible for the NHL draft until 2022.
CHL teams can have a maximum of two imports on their roster once 14 days have passed the start of their regular season.
