Junior Hockey: Kelowna Rockets chooses defense in import draft

The Canadian Hockey Leagueheld its annualImport Drafton Friday. Kelowna Rocketsbrought in one new player.

Choosing 43^rdoverall, Kelowna chose the 17-year-old Malecrocack, a 5-foot 10 and 168-pound defenseman from the Czech Republic.

The rearguard spent last season in the U20 league, scoring 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 33 games against HC Ocelari Trinec. Born in 2005, Rocac is not eligible for draft until 2023.

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All CHL teams have the option to select two players. However, the team is limited to two imported players, and Kelowna will be back with one from last season.

Center Gabriel Sturk, 18, returned to Kelowna for the second season, so Rockets chose not to use the second pick.

Last season, the 5'10 Szturc scored 16 goals and 41 points in 67 games against the rocket. And in late June, Szturc was invited to the Czech selection camp for the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championships.

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Szturc was ranked 44th overall by Kelowna in the 2021 CHL Import Draft.

Kelowna's other import, Pavel Novak, has cancer. Get rid of hockey after being diagnosed with.

In a statement released in the media last week, Novak said: .. I was diagnosed with a neoplastic disease a few days ago and will start treatment shortly.

He went on to say, "The next few months won't be easy for me, but I'm sure everything will work, and I'll soon fly again with joy and passion." Let's get well! "

Novak was named 146th in the 5th round, overall by the NHL entry draft Minnesota Wild.

A total of 64 players were selected in the import draft on Friday.

The first choice overall was Medicine Hat Tigers, who won Slovakia's Adam Sicola at the 5-10 center.

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