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HAF
07-25-2005, 02:10 AM
CHIEFS TAKE SALMONSSON IN IMPORT DRAFT

The Spokane Chiefs have selected Johannes Salmonsson, a 19-year-old Swedish forward, with the 15th overall selection in this morning’s CHL Import Draft.

The 6’2” Salmonsson was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins with 31st overall selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. This past year, he finished sixth overall in scoring at the World Junior Hockey Championships with five goals and eight points in six games for Team Sweden. Salmonsson also played for Team Sweden in the 2004 World Junior Tournament.

“We are very excited about the selection of Johannes Salmonsson,” Chiefs General Manager Tim Speltz said. “We feel he will be a front-line player in the WHL and will be a great compliment to our forwards.”

In total, with four separate teams including the World Junior club, Salmonsson appeared in 48 games last season and scored nine goals and 16 points.

“Our contacts in Europe describe him as a big, aggressive player that competes very hard and has a high level of skill,” Speltz said. “He will adapt quickly to the style of Major Junior hockey and will be an impact player in the WHL. This will be a good opportunity for Johannes to learn the North American game before playing pro hockey.”

The Chiefs already have defenseman Gustav Engman and forward Michael Grabner on their roster, but because Engman will qualify as an overage player next season, the Chiefs were allowed to add a third European player through the draft.