Over the years, the Red Deer Rebels have had some very good import players.
Think:
Mikhail Yakubov (32 goals, 89 points in 2001-02),
Mikko Kuukka (43 points and hard-nosed defensive play over two seasons, 2003--05),
Roman Wick (87 points in 89 games over parts of two seasons, 2004-06),
Kirill Starkov (32 goals in 06-07),
Martin Hanzal (85 points in 60 games in 2006-07), and there are a few more on that list....
They've also had some very bad import players. Think:
Tomas Polak (11 goals in two seasons, 2007-2009, years in which he was relegated to the press box most nights),
Vladimir Mihalik (now actually a legit pro prospect who saw some time in Tampa Bay last year, but at 6'7'', was still learning the game in a less than stellar season in Red Deer),
Alexei Zhurba (29 games, one goal in 1999-00. He.......wasn't good),
We'll see who they get today.
The Red Deer Rebels head into the CHL Import Draft with both a first round (#14 overall) and a second round (#74 overall) pick.
Currently, the Rebs have no imports on the roster, so depending on what's on the board, they very well may use both picks in the draft, even though recently drafted
Tommi Kivisto (6th overall import selection last year) left a bad taste in their mouths, breaking back to Finland to play this season.
But looking ahead to next season, with
Landon Ferraro, Cass Mappin, Willie Coetzee, and
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins solidified in the top six, another scoring winger is a definite need for this team.
Brent Sutter, who along with Jesse Wallin, has been burning up the phone lines trying to find the right fit, says he isn't sure yet whether he'll use the pick, or simply trade it.
You can follow along here:
http://chl.ca/importDraft.phpThe Rebels are expected to make their pick just after 9:40 a.m.
AW