From Russia With Love

LETHBRIDGE - Hurricanes G.M. and Head Coach Rich Preston announced that the Lethbridge Hurricanes have selected Russian forward Alexander Kuvaev [Koo-VAY-ev] in the second round of the 2010 CHL Import Draft (67th overall). Earlier in the day, Lethbridge acquired Regina’s 6th round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft in exchange for the Canes first round pick (46th overall) in the 2010 CHL Import Draft. This was the pick originally acquired from the Portland Winterhawks in a trade last season.

Kuvaev is a 93-born – 6’3, 190 pound forward will be eligible for the 2011 NHL Draft. He played for Team Russia at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Timmins. ON this past winter and played this past season for Vityaz Chekhov of the Russian Minor Hockey League (MHL)

Each team in the CHL is permitted to carry two European Import players each season. These players are selected annually at the Import Draft, with the order of selection rotating through each of the three leagues in the CHL using an inverse order of their final regular season standings from the 2009-10 season.

The WHL’s Prince George Cougars used the number one selection in the 2010 CHL Import Draft by selecting Martin Marincin of Slovakia. The big defenseman was recently selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round (46th overall) in the 2010 NHL Draft this past weekend in Los Angeles.

The Hurricanes will look to make a second selection with only one of their European spots already being held by Swede Jacob Berglund. Berglund was acquired in a trade with the Portland Winterhawks last season which saw 2008 NHL 1st round draft pick Luca Sbisa along with the Canes 5th round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft moved to Portland in exchange for the 91-born Swedish forward and 92-born defenseman Daniel Johnston coming to Lethbridge. Portland and Lethbridge also agreed to swap first round selections in the 2010 CHL Import Draft – resulting in the Canes holding the 46th overall pick.

Pat

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