The Lethbridge Hurricanes are busy preparing for what could be an eventful day on Wednesday as they take part in the 2011 CHL Import Draft.
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 2010-11 season. Lethbridge currently holds the 12th and 72nd picks in this year’s draft and will look to make a pair of selections after the release of Swedish forward Jacob Berglund and Russian forward Alex Kuvaev. Berglund signed on to play pro hockey in Sweden for the 2011-12 season while Kuvaev will now be re-entered into the talent pool for the 2011 CHL Draft.
“It’s always a big change coming over here from Europe to play and Alex [Kuvaev] worked hard to adjust to the North American game” said Canes GM Rich Preston “You always want to look out for your players and we made every effort to find him another home in the WHL prior to his release today – We felt it was only fair to give him the opportunity to find a team back in Europe, like Jacob [Berglund], or possibly somewhere else in the CHL.” Preston added “We certainly want to wish both of these young men the best of luck in all of their future endeavors – on and off the ice.”
The OHL’s Barrie Colts currently hold the first selection in the 2011 CHL Import Draft followed by the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, and the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. Teams are permitted to trade draft picks up to and during the Import Draft process.
(From Ryan Ohashi, Hurricanes Manager of Communicatons and Events)
Thanks,
Pat
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Sad news about Kuvaev.
ReplyDeleteThe kid had some skills.
Yah he did, but he could not skate enough to keep up with the rest of the guys on the ice.
ReplyDeleteRJS
Was Kuvaev given ample opportunity with the team? How much help was given to improve his inadequacies (if indeed he couldn't skate well enough)? Was he well coached? Was he the only player on the team who had some weaknesses? How much does one learn and improve being a scratch game after game? Yes, the kid had some skills and seemed to want to play.....the team wasn't that good or successful that he couldn't be given a chance at least.
ReplyDeleteKuvaev was completely mishandled. Just another feather in Preston's cap. Graham Hood can't skate worth a crap and I don't see him on the bench for that.
ReplyDeleteDarren, that is the most insightful post I've read on this blog for awhile.
ReplyDeleteHood's lack of defence, hustle, skating and production never hurt his playing time. Kuvaev, Ramsey, and others were stuck on the bench. And RJS, skating hurt Kuvaev? Please.
The fact that the Cane's organization didn't have an interpreter for Kuvaev until after the New Year tells me that they were ill-prepared to handle someone who couldn't speak English. How the hell was Kuvaev supposed understand why he was on the bench or in the press box?? And as a fan, I'd like to know WHY he was wearing a suit for all those games? He shouldn't have been brought over to back check, so if that was Preston's reason, I'm here to tell him that Euros and Russians aren't coming over here to back check....they're coming here to get noticed. Back checking isn't going to get them noticed......points and goals is what gets them noticed. Preston needs to figure this out or these two new Euros will suffer the same fate as Kuvaev.
ReplyDelete