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View Full Version : W'kings select Juraj Simek



Triton
06-28-2006, 11:23 AM
Brandon, Manitoba – The Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings opted for an offensive forward in the opening round of Wednesday's Canadian Hockey League Import draft.

With the 23rd selection overall, the Wheat Kings selected 19-year old right-winger Juraj Simek. The 6’1” 189 lb forward spent this past season with Kloten in Switzerland. In 42 games, he scored 63 points including 21 goals.

Simek was chosen by the Vancouver Canucks in the sixth round (106th overall) of Saturday’s National Hockey League Entry Draft.

“Juraj is a good offensive player that will contribute immediately,” says Brandon Wheat Kings’ general manager and coach Kelly McCrimmon.

Simek becomes the first Slovakian born player to be chosen by the Wheat Kings since Brandon opted for Richard Jasovsky in 2002.

The Wheat Kings entered today’s draft, looking to replace departed Finnish forward Sami Sandell and Swedish winger John Wikner, who have both signed professional contracts overseas. While Wikner wasn’t invited back after a disappointing 2005-06 campaign, the Wheat Kings had hoped to have Sandell in their lineup this season. However, he inked a contract back home in Finland as he fulfills his mandatory military service. Sandell spent two seasons with Brandon, scoring eleven goals and 38 points in 54 games this past season.

The Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League used the first overall selection to choose highly touted 17-year old right-winger Jakub Voracek from the Czech Republic.

The Western Hockey League’s newest entry, the Chilliwack Bruins, had the second pick and opted for 17-year old Swedish forward Oscar Moller. The Spokane Chiefs rounded out the top five selections by drafting another 17-year old (eligible for the 2007 National Hockey League Entry Draft), Ondrej Roman from the Czech Republic.

In addition to Sandell and Wikner, some of Brandon’s recent import picks have included the likes of Norwegian defenceman Ole-Kristian Tollefson, Chicago Blackhawks' second round draft choice Jakub Sindel as well as Jiri Jakes and Jan Fadrny of the Czech Republic.

Brandon’s second and final choice will come later today.