Import draft on tap

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Brandon, Manitoba -- The National Hockey League Entry Draft has come and gone and now it's time for Canada's major junior hockey clubs including the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings to stock their roster with European talent.

Brandon enters Wednesday's draft, looking to replace departed Finnish forward Sami Sandell and Swedish winger John Wikner, who have both signed professional contracts overseas.

"It's tough to rate the quality of the draft because at this point, we're still not sure of the availability of some of the players," Wheat Kings' general manager Kelly McCrimmon recently told James Shewaga of the Brandon Sun. "I think we've done a lot of work in terms of evaluating the players and who we think could help and make an impact, and yet, that's only part of the equation when you are talking about European players."

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 has chosen a professional contract back home in Finland as he fulfills his mandatory military service.

Sandell spent two seasons with the Wheat Kings. This past winter, the popular Sandell scored eleven goals and 38 points in 54 games.

Brandon's first pick is 23rd overall and is scheduled for early Wednesday afternoon.

For complete CHL Import Draft results, be sure to visit www.chl.ca

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2006
Juraj Simek,Slovakia,1st round
Igor Musatov,Russia,2nd round

2005
John Wikner, Sweden, 1st round

2004
Sami Sandell, Finland, 1st round
Jakub Sindel, Czech Republic, 1st round

2002
Ole Tollefsen, Norway, 1st round

2001
Tomas Vanek, Austria, 1st round
Richard Jasovsky, Slovakia, 1st round

2000
Jiri Jakes, Czech Republic, 1st round

1999
Angel Krsdev, Czech Republic, 1st round

1998
Jan Fadrny, Czech Republic, 1st round

1997
Petr Havelka, Czech Republic, 1st round

1995
Andrei Lupandin, Ukraine, 1st round
Gerhard Unterluggauer, Austria, 1st round

1994
Oleg Tverdovsky, Ukraine, 1st round

1993
Ladislav Kohn, Czech Republic, 1st round