In a
CHL import draft once again dominated by Czech and Slovak players -- comprising roughly 80 percent of the 53 selections made as of this writing -- Philadelphia Flyers goaltend prospect Jakub Kovar was chosen 29th overall by the Oshawa Generals.
Kovar (pronounced like Koh-VASH) was widely regarded as the best junior goaltender in the Czech Republic this season and earned the backup job to Thrashers' prospect Ondrej Pavelec at the IIHF Under-20 World Junior Championships.
In 38 starts this year for HC Ceske Budejovice's Under-20 team, Kovar ranked among the league leaders in most major goaltending categories. He posted a 2.07 goals against average, .937 save percentage and three shutouts.
Blocked by veteran Roman Turek on Ceske Budejovice's senior team, Kovar has reportedly expressed interest in coming over to play in the CHL (a move that the majority of Czech prospects make sooner or later), and the Generals seem like a good fit.
Nothing is official yet, however.
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Young Brno winger Tomas Vincour was the first overall pick, going to the expansion Edmonton Oil Kings. So far there have been five players chosen from the prolific HC Kladno system in the Czech Republic.
The
mass exodus of Czech and Slovak prospects has really put a hurting on Czech and Slovak hockey, but as long as CHL teams continue to drafting these players in huge numbers, they're going to keep on coming, trying to chase their NHL dreams.
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One of the more interesting non-Czechs and Slovaks selected in this year's import draft include the Kitchener Rangers using the fifth overall pick on Danish winger Mikkel Bodker of Frölunda's junior team (a likely first round pick in the 2008 NHL Draft). I am currently trying to get a gauge on the Dane's intentions.
Other intriguing names include recent Calgary Flames first-round pick Mikael Backlund (taken 43rd by the Kelowna Rockets but unlikely to come over), Andre Pettersson (one of the more exciting European offensive prospects for the 2008 draft), Tampa Bay 2006 first round pick Riku Helenius (the goalie was chosen 46th by Seattle), and hulking German defenseman and recent Boston 5th-rounder Denis Reul (taken 15th by the Lewiston MAINEiacs).
One non-Czech/Slovak who could conceivably come over is Slovenian right wing Anze Ropret, a standout at the Division I Under-18 Championships who also played in the Division I Under-20 Tourney. He was taken by Val-d'Or, 36th overall. Fellow Slovenian, left winger Bostjan Golicic went to the Calgary Hitmen 40th overall.
Relatively few Swedes or Finns elect to come over even if they are selected. One who may is huge (6-7, 240 pound) Swedish defenseman Patrik Magnusson, taken 28th by Prince George. Undrafted by any NHL teams, the 19-year-old has had trouble so far moving up past HV71 Jönköping's J20 team, although he does have two brief Elitserien appearances to his credit.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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