Canes' Looking At Upcoming Import Draft

Next up for the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Hockey Management is the CHL's 2010 Import Draft which is slated to take place at the end of this month.

The Hurricanes were originally supposed to have the 7th pick overall pick amongst the 60 major junior teams, but they swapped that pick with Portland when the traded away Luca Sbisa to the Winter Hawks at the deadline for Daniel Johnston and Jacob Berglund. With that move, the Hurricanes will receive the Hawks Euro pick which is 46th overall. Needless to say, the Canes' moved down considerably in the Import Draft with that move.

The Euro Draft is scheduled to take place June 29th, starting at 7am MDT. The Prince George Cougars, like in the WHL draft get the first overall pick here too, followed by Sarnia, Halifax, and Edmonton.

I took some time yesterday to chat with Brad Robson, the Hurricanes Assistant G.M. and Director of Player Personnel about the Import Draft and just what the Hurricanes might be looking for. Chatting with Brad I get the impression the Canes' will likely chose one European, although there are two rounds to go through.

Pat: What is this Lethbridge team looking for when it comes to the Import Draft this year?

Brad: "At the end of the year with the trade with Portland getting Jacob Berglund, you know we're pretty happy with him. Jacob is a pretty strong kid, he scored about 10 goals. I think as a hockey club we think he could probably score 20 to 25 for us this year and maybe 50-60 points. When Jacob left the club in the spring he indicated he wants to come back and play for us this fall. I think his spot will remain with the hockey club. Rich (Preston) and myself will have to make a decision soon in regards to (G) Ville Kolppanen. With the emergence of (G)Brandon Anderson, he's probably going to be our number one goalie. We'll have to make a decision whether we're going to keep Ville with that other European spot."

Pat: If it's decided not to bring Ville Kolppanen back, then what position would you look to in order to fill that one Euro spot on this Lethbridge team?


Brad: "With the depth we're starting to build on the back end, with 8 or 9 returning defencemen. We've got two or three guys who can probably play in that group, some younger kids so we have lots of depth. I think we're probably looking at a forward. Like all teams in the CHL, we'd like to get a goal scorer, someone maybe who could add some depth on the right side."

Pat: With that trade with Portland, you moved down considerably in the Import Draft this year. Is there a chance the Hurricanes might look to try and move back up a bit?

Brad: "We'd probably entertain that, yes. We probably would have to move a depth player or make a trade. We may be able to flip picks with a club that doesn't require a player in this 2010 Import Draft."

Pat: Some people I think wondered why the Hurricanes swapped import picks and moved down in this upcoming draft. Should that be a concern?

Brad: "Well, I think getting Berglund, who was a high Euro pick himself, he'll fill that one position. We still have time to make a move before the CHL draft to get another player in this Euro draft."

Thanks,
Pat