The Regina Pats Hockey Club selected a Russian defenceman, and a Finnish forward with their two choices in the 2017 CHL Import Draft on Wednesday morning.
In the first round, 60th overall, the Pats took 17-year-old Russian defenceman Yegor Zamula. The product of Chelyabinsk scored three goals and had 23 assists in 36 games with Metallurg Magnitogorsk U17 in 2016/17.
Head Coach and General Manager John Paddock says Zamula has been said to share many of the same on-ice traits as former Pat defenceman Sergei Zborovskiy. He is eligible to be taken in the 2018 NHL draft.
With the 120th overall pick in the second round, Regina selected Finnish forward Emil Oksanen. The 19-year-old played professionally with Espoo United of the Mestis League in 2016/17. He scored 13 goals and had six assists in 48 games.
Oksanen stands 6’1” and weighs 189 lbs, he won a gold medal at the 2016 Under-18 World Championships with Team Finland.
Paddock says he could be a steal considering where he was taken and admits they are rolling the dice a little with this pick.
"He’s probably a slight bit more of a flyer as far as availability but it seems like people we spoke to are thinking this could be a good opportunity for him so we’ll see where it goes.”
Paddock also admits that while happy with the two players selected, there are still many unknowns, but he believes both will be at training camp.
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