IMPORT DRAFT
Pats not afraid to ‘roll the dice’
The Regina Pats have their work cut out heading into Wednesday’s CHL import draft.
By virtue of finishing atop the WHL standings last season, Regina has been saddled with the bottom pick in both rounds — 60th and 120th overall. Those numbers will improve as teams with veteran imports pass on their selections, but that’s of little solace to head coach/ GM John Paddock, who views the European draft as a crapshoot at the best of times.
With forward Filip Ahl and defenceman Sergey Zborovskiy graduating to the pro ranks, the Pats will look to refill their import quota with two new selections.
Paddock and his staff have been busy speaking to agents, poring over scouting reports and tapping into NHL sources to identify prospective talent. It’s no easy task, especially when you have to determine which players might be willing to cross the pond and which ones are contractually free to do so.
“You might get a friendly phone call or something,” noted Paddock, who did some legwork during the NHL draft in Chicago last week. “There are people reaching out to us that we know on NHL teams. They were able to draft so-and-so and they find out that he is maybe interested in coming or his contract status might allow him to.”
Since Regina is picking at the bottom of the draft, Paddock will likely be more willing to gamble on a high-end player who’s considered a risky recruit.
“In general we talk in our meetings, ‘You shouldn’t be afraid to roll the dice,’ ” he said. “With us hosting the Memorial Cup, that has to make it more (attractive to players) than normal. And I think our track record the last three years (is an advantage). We’ve had success as a team. There are positives that should help us.”
Although the Pats can’t bank on hitting the jackpot Wednesday, it would be a godsend in their efforts to build a Memorial Cup contender.
“The Euro draft is important to all teams,” said Paddock. “This year, for us, it’s more important. We’ve lost a couple of productive Europeans (among others). If we can hit on this, you’re not giving up assets so it’s sort of like getting a free player. We need to fill those holes. If we don’t, we’ll end up at some point looking at trading for one. The more assets we can save up for the right time the better”
In a perfect world, Paddock would like to come out of the import draft with one forward and one defenceman, but plans to select “the best player available” regardless of position.
Regina will also be looking to add older players who can make an immediate impact — like Ahl last season — instead of drafting someone who needs more time to develop.
It’s all part of being in a win-now mode. “I think it would be fair to say that we’re looking for 19-yearolds,” Paddock added. “But (Zborovskiy) was a good player when he was a 17-year-old. I have no problem with somebody of Sergey’s level playing on our team in the Memorial Cup. He might not be in the top four D but we’re not picking No. 1. We’re picking 60th.”