Despite some late interest in Alex Graham, the 18-year-old forward was not selected in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.
There were two teams interested in the left-winger who only acquired himself an agent named John Walters (The Will Sports Group) a couple of days before the draft.
In 2020, I was informed by a CHL scout that the British forward had been offered to teams.
That appears to be the case again heading into the 2021 CHL Import Draft.
It’s been a frustrating season for Graham along with many other young players in the UK.
The GB forward played for Sheffield Steeldogs in the NIHL streaming series and put up impressive numbers on a stacked roster.
Through eleven games Graham scored nine goals and added eleven assists for twenty points.
He was also a part of the Elite League Streaming Series, again with Sheffield (Steelers).
His role was somewhat diminished, though he did play in sixteen games, and only registered a lone goal.
Graham headed to the Czech Republic in October 2020 for trials with a U20 team before being required to leave two weeks later due to the pandemic.
As per The Star https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/sheffield-steelers-teenager-alex-graham-loses-chance-play-czech-republic-3007519
Graham had this to say about the situation.
“They cancelled the leagues there [Czech Republic].” “I was with a senior team but when they cancelled the games I came home. I was only there a week or two and didn’t get to play any games, just training sessions.”
Graham is eligible for the 2021 NHL Entry Draft but simply isn’t in the conversation to be drafted. He’s not even considered a long shot as Liam Kirk was in 2018.
If the Sheffield native harbours any North American ambitions, then being selected in the CHL Import Draft would go a long way to fulfilling those.
A snippet of information from an article in Saltwire (the online version of The Halifax Herald) would indicate Graham has a greater chance of being selected this time around due to an expanded opportunity.
“The Canadian Hockey League is working with the federal government to ensure the import players will be able to enter the country for the 2021-22 season. This year, teams will be permitted to put two previously drafted players on a reserve list and still draft two more.”
The CHL Import Draft will be held online Wednesday, June 30 at 11 AM. Eastern (4 PM UK time).
There will be 120 selections in total, each team potentially picking twice.
All teams are entitled to pass on one or both of their slotted draft spots if they wish.
The draft order of the top ten is as follows:
01) Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
02) Everett (WHL)
03) Barrie (OHL)
04) Cape Breton (QMJHL)
05) Swift Current (WHL)
06) Soo (OHL)
07) Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
08) Vancouver (WHL)
09) Kitchener (OHL)
10) Rimouski (QMJHL)
The full draft order can be found here https://chl.ca/draft
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