Scout
05-08-2008, 07:28 PM
Giants flip import picks with Regina
The Vancouver Giants have traded their 2009 first-round CHL import draft pick to the Regina Pats for Regina's first-round pick this year.
Draft order is yet to be determined. Vancouver, with two first-round picks, is looking to fill Euro spots left open with the graduation of Slovak centre Mario Bliznak and Czech winger Michal Repik's expected jump to pro.
The import draft often doesn't go according to talent, but according to agents' relationships with clubs. Consider that in 2004, the Vancouver Giants goaltender Marek Schwarz 38th overall in the import draft, the same year he went 17th in the NHL draft to the St. Louis Blues.
Vancouver has gotten every European they've ever had from the Edmonton agency fronted by Rich Winter and Gerry Johannson. The Giants still have strong ties with Johannson, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see them get a Euro from Calgary agent JP Barry. Barry has also worked well with the Giants, representing former star Gilbert Brule and current starting netminder Tyson Sexsmith. He also helped broker the trade that brought Wacey Rabbit to Vancouver to seasons ago.
The Vancouver Giants have traded their 2009 first-round CHL import draft pick to the Regina Pats for Regina's first-round pick this year.
Draft order is yet to be determined. Vancouver, with two first-round picks, is looking to fill Euro spots left open with the graduation of Slovak centre Mario Bliznak and Czech winger Michal Repik's expected jump to pro.
The import draft often doesn't go according to talent, but according to agents' relationships with clubs. Consider that in 2004, the Vancouver Giants goaltender Marek Schwarz 38th overall in the import draft, the same year he went 17th in the NHL draft to the St. Louis Blues.
Vancouver has gotten every European they've ever had from the Edmonton agency fronted by Rich Winter and Gerry Johannson. The Giants still have strong ties with Johannson, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see them get a Euro from Calgary agent JP Barry. Barry has also worked well with the Giants, representing former star Gilbert Brule and current starting netminder Tyson Sexsmith. He also helped broker the trade that brought Wacey Rabbit to Vancouver to seasons ago.