Blazers opt for pair of 2001-born players in CHL Import Draft
KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Blazers went younger in this year’s CHL Import Draft, taking two players born in 2001 with Czech forward Martin Lang and Finnish defenseman Joonas Sillanpaa.
“The fact we were able to get a forward and a defenseman is a complement,” said Blazers GM Matt Bardsley. “I wasn’t too concerned. At the end of the day I wanted who I thought were the best players, whether that meant we took two forwards, two defensemen, and as it worked out it was a forward and a defenseman. I think that gives us good balance going forward.”
The Blazers took Lang with their first pick at 14th overall. Lang, who’s still 16 years old, played last season with HC Plzen’s under-18 team, filling the net with 37 goals and adding 22 assists in 35 games.