Canadian Hockey League held its annual import draft on Friday. Kelowna Rockets A new player came along.
43. to choosethird Overall, Kelowna picked 17-year-old Marek Rokák, a 5-foot-10 and 168-pound defenseman from Czechia (Czech Republic).
Reargaard spent last season in the U20 league, where he scored 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 33 games with HC Ocelari Trinec. Rokak, born in 2005, is not eligible to be drafted until 2023.
All CHL teams have the option of selecting two players. However, teams are limited to two import players, and Kelowna will have one returning from last season.
With 18-year-old Gabriel Zatark returning for a second season at Kelowna, the Rockets opted not to use their second pick.
Last season, the 5-foot-10 Szturc recorded 16 goals and 41 points in 67 games with the Rockets. And at the end of June, Szturc was invited to the selection camp in Czechia for the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Szturc was selected 44th overall by Kelowna in the 2021 CHL import draft.
Kelowna’s other import, Pavel Novak, will be turning away from hockey after being diagnosed with cancer.
In a statement released to the media last week, Novak said, “Unfortunately, my health condition does not allow me to prepare for the next season. I was diagnosed with an oncological disease a few days ago and soon I started treatment.” I will.”
He continued, “The coming months will not be easy for me but I firmly believe that everything will be alright and soon I will be flying again on the ice with joy and passion! I will come back stronger!”
Novak was selected in the fifth round by the Minnesota Wild in the NHL’s entry draft, 146th overall.
A total of 64 players were selected in Friday’s import draft.
The first overall pick was the Medicine Hat Tigers, who took on 5–10 center Adam Sciorra of Slovakia.
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