The NHL’s insistence in concluding the 2019-20 season at apparently any cost has led to issues with free agency, player contracts and of course the 2020 NHL entry draft.
The Canadian Hockey League, who normally hold the import draft a few days after the NHL entry draft have had to adapt o these unique circumstances.
With June 30, 2020, now officially confirmed as the date, we can now speculate as to which overseas players might be drafted and making an appearance in either the WHL, QMJHL or OHL shortly.
A brief synopsis of the CHL Import Draft for those not familiar with it.
The CHL Import Draft is an annual event in which every team in the Canadian Hockey League may select the rights to eligible import players.
An import is classified as a player who does not have residency status in either Canada or the United States.
The draft is conducted online with teams from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, systematically take turns making selections in reverse order of the team’s standings in the CHL from the previous season.
Teams can have a maximum of two imports which may only be obtained through the draft and must have an open roster space for an import player before a draft selection is made, otherwise, they must pass on the opportunity.
We are used to seeing high-end Russian, Czech, German, Scandinavian and Slovakian prospects to name but a few, selected in this draft but there have been some British involvement in the past
Everyone remembers Liam Kirk being selected 9th overall by the Peterborough Petes in 2018 just days after being drafted by the Arizona Coyotes.
Those before Liam were Robert Farmer, selected 44th by Ottawa 67’s in 2010, goaltender Stevie Lyle who was chosen in 1996 (52nd) and 1997 (27th) by Detroit Jr. Whalers and defenseman Lachlan Coombe was taken by Sherbrooke Faucons 33rd in 1993.
The next to join that list could be Alex Graham.
The 17-year-old forward has been playing in the NIHL (second tier of men‘s UK hockey) since the age of 15 and broke Liam Kirk’s point record as a 16-year-old in the NIHL.
During the most recent season, Graham recorded 52 points in 38 games for the Sheffield Steeldogs and also made his debut at the Elite League level for the Sheffield Steelers.
In eight outings at the top level of UK hockey, Graham only registered a solitary point but it was a memorable goal for the young man.
He has only played in two junior world championships for Great Britain but made a strong impression at both the U18 and U20 level.
Seven points in five games at the U18 level was a nice start at the national level but he followed that up with the same statistics (including four goals) as a 17 year-old at the 2020, U20 World Championships Division 2, Group A
There is no doubting that Graham is on a steep upward development curve but how hopeful can UK fans be of him following in the footsteps of Liam Kirk.
Well, certainly Liam has opened the door with his performances and certainly encouraged those from North America to look more seriously at the young talent in the UK.
The fact that Graham has already been able to handle himself in a taste of the Elite League at the age of 17 certainly bodes well for the chance of a CHL team taking a gamble on him.
There is also the similarity in that Graham has come through the Sheffield academy like Kirk, and his name will have pointed in the direction of North America
Offensively he appears to be more gifted at 17 years old than Kirk was at the same age but does need to round off his game. The defensive side of the game can, of course, be taught and there’s nothing to question his work-rate to date.
UK Hockey Blog 