There have now been three British players taken in the last four years of the CHL Import Draft.
So who might be next up?
Jack Hopkins is the name on the lips of people in the UK when it comes to talking about young and up-and-coming talent.
The 17-year old has done nothing but wrack up goals and points in his UK junior career to date.
Before the most recent campaign in the UK, the centreman had represented Nottingham at various levels, playing for the Ice Cats, Tigers, Cougars, Lynx and Leopards. Such has been his dominance, the right-handed shot even played at the U20 level at the age of fourteen.
Before the return of hockey in the UK, Hopkins had opted to continue his development in Germany, suiting up for ES Weißwasser U17.
The centreman continued his offensive prowess even in foreign surroundings, scoring six times and adding three assists in eight games. That was good for the team lead in goals and second in scoring behind Nils Herzog.
Hockey in the UK this season was in the form of short tournaments.
In the NIHL North Cup, Hopkins helped himself to eight goals and thirteen points in six games.
The Nottingham native remained a dominant force in the NIHL 1 Cup with seven goals and as many assists in eight games.
What is most impressive about all those plays, assists and goals is that he was up against men for the first time in his career. The step-up was no problem at all to him.
A little like Alex Graham, the best part of Jack Hopkins’ game is his ability to shoot the puck. In simple terms, he is already shooting like a man when in truth he was just 16 years of age during those tournaments.
His frame is a little lightweight at 5’9” and 159lbs but having only just turned 17 years of age there is scope to mature and develop.
A skeptic might argue that he has dominated what can be considered a very weak junior hockey system in comparison to other countries. Also, the tournaments are small sample sizes.
I am prepared to grant the first point some credence but not the second in so much as he dominated against men at the first time of asking.
He also went across to Germany and remained a top performer and scorer in many consider a reputable junior system.
A new country, new surroundings, new team-mates but he still performed.
That was an admirable performance worthy of chalking up highly, especially so in these strange times we have all been living in.
Is he good enough to be considered by a CHL team at the 2022 import draft?
In short, I believe so.
Much might depend on where Hopkins plays next season.
He needs to play at the highest level possible in the UK or perhaps head to Europe to further develop his career.
I would not be surprised if teams in Germany took notice of his performance there and intend to offer him another opportunity.
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