The constantly changing developmental hockey world featured another new twist on Tuesday during the CHL Import Draft.
For the first time in the event's history, for players born or raised outside North America, teams were allowed to pick those turning 16 this year exclusively in the first round.
The Oshawa Generals took advantage of the new rule right off the bat, grabbing 16-year-old, six-foot-four Czech defenceman Matyas Michalek first overall. Elite Prospects recently ranked Michalek as No. 1 among 2010 European-born players. He figures to be a top candidate for the 2028 NHL Draft.
Michalek, as a double underager, helped Czechia win bronze at the world under-18 championship this spring.
Assuming Michalek reports, and that seems more likely than not as the first-overall pick, the Generals have a huge piece for their rebuild, along with No. 1 OHL Draft pick Kane Cloutier, a centre and the son of former NHL goalie Dan Cloutier.
That would be great news for the OHL with the Generals in the Greater Toronto Area, making it an easy spot for scouts to attend.
While the CHL Import Draft can be an agent-driven event, it does offer big prizes to teams that find the right players.
Guys like Leon Draisaitl, Marian Hossa, Zdeno Chara and Nikolaj Ehlers got their starts in the CHL after being picked in the Import Draft.
Here are some key takeaways from Tuesday's event:
The youngest players
Nine teams grabbed players 16 or turning 16 this year in the first round.
Names to watch include six-foot-five Russian forward Gordei Khotkov (Saginaw Spirit, 16th overall), Russian defenceman Yuri Vlasenko (Swift Current Broncos, 21st overall), Slovakian winger Max Melicherik (Portland Winterhawks, 30th overall) and Russian forward Roman Andreyev (Kitchener Rangers, 55th overall)
All are in the top 30 on the Elite Prospects top 2010-born European players list.
Memorial Cup hosts select elite talent
The Guelph Storm traded up with the Erie Otters to get the No. 4-overall pick — and now we know why.
Guelph selected 17-year-old Slovakian forward Timothy Kazda, who was the MVP of the world under-18 championship after helping his country win silver.
Kazda already has North American experience, registering 22 goals and 19 assists in 59 games for the USHL's Chicago Steel last season.
He's considered a first-round candidate for next year's NHL Draft.
Goalies are popular
The struggles of Canadian goaltending have been well documented, explaining why goalies were in high demand on Tuesday.
Eight teams picked goalies in the first round, including St. Louis Blues fourth-round pick Vladimir Proskurin (Victoriaville Tigres), Philadelphia Flyers second-round pick Martin Psohlavec (Saskatoon Blades) and Los Angeles third-round pick Yegor Rybkin (Moncton Wildcats).
The Moose Jaw Warriors grabbed Winnipeg Jets third-round goaltender Samuel Hrenak, while the Chicoutimi Sagueneens selected Toronto Maple Leafs fourth-round netminder Patriks Plumins in the second round.
Other key NHL connections
The London Knights run one of the top junior programs in the CHL, and they're not shy about trying to recruit top players.
London used its first-round pick on Finnish winger Luca Santala, a first-round prospect for next year's NHL Draft, before taking Vegas Golden Knights first-rounder Juho Piiparinen, a Finnish defenceman in the second round.
The Vancouver Giants also made an interesting selection, taking Nashville Predators fourth-round defenceman Jakub Floris 10th overall.
Finally, the Calgary Hitmen gave a landing spot to a Flames draft pick, scooping up seventh-round defenceman Jakob Leander 48th overall.
Nationality breakdown
Russia led the way with a record 32 players selected. Czechia was right behind with 30, while Finland had a new high in third with 16 players.
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