The Prince George Cougars made just one pick, which was fifth overall, in today’s CHL Import Draft.
The Cougars selected left winger Matej Toman from the Czech Republic.
“He’s in the right age group for the development. We’ve got a lot of young players coming up with this team. He’s a really good skater and highly-skilled,” says Cougars General Manager Mark Lamb.
The 17-year-old Toman only stands five-foot-10 inches tall and weighs 167 pounds.
“Size isn’t the end all be all anymore,” adds Lamb.
“It’s all about your hockey sense, your skating, and your compete level. That’s something that years ago you would really look up and now it’s not even an issue.”
Toman suited up for the Czech Republic at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, leading the Czech team in scoring with three goals in six games.
He is NHL draft eligible in 2019.
“I’ve talked to him myself and he’s really excited about playing in the CHL. He’s going to be in the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament in August in Edmonton; he’s got the potential to be a really good player and a really good prospect.”
Forward Vladislav Mikhalchuk (Belarus) is the other European on the Cougars and he is the expected back for his second season with the team.
NEWS: Cougars take Czech forward Matej Toman in CHL Import Draft | https://t.co/tkx1kA8fxG#CHLImportDraft pic.twitter.com/MJbO8jeI56
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) June 28, 2018