Blazers pick twice. (Image Credit: CHL)
By Marty Hastings
Coming to Kamloops

Blazers pick Russian defenceman, forward from Kazakhstan in CHL Import Draft

Jun 30, 2026 | 9:58 AM

KAMLOOPS – The Kamloops Blazers selected twice in the CHL Import Draft on Tuesday [June 30]. 

Kamloops picked left-shot defenceman Mikhail (Misha) Cherepanov of Yekaterinburg, Russia, 39th overall in Round 1. 

The 6-foot-2, 188-pound rearguard was selected by the Dallas Stars in the seventh round of the 2026 NHL Draft. 

Cherepanov, 18, played last season with the New Hampshire Mountain Kings of the North American Hockey League, tallying five goals, 31 points and 99 penalty minutes in 56 games. 

He is committed to Lake Superior State University of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., for the 2027-2028 season. 

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With the 100th overall selection in Round 2, the Blazers selected 17-year-old forward Yegor Kravchenko of Temirtau, Kazakhstan.

The 5-foot-11, 157-pound left shot who is entering his 18-year-old campaign represented Kazakhstan at the 2025 Division One World Under-18 Hockey Championship, posting four goals and eight points in five games.

by Marty Hastings

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