Spitfires sticking with Rafkin ahead of CHL Import Draft
Windsor has two selections, but likely will use one to protect Finn defenceman Rafkin
A year ago, the Windsor Spitfires certainly weren’t expecting to take part in this year’s Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
The club took Finnish goalie Kari Piiroinen with its top pick in 2018 and added defenceman and countryman Ruben Rafkin in the first round last year.
Teams are allowed only two import players on the rosters and both were eligible to return next season, but have opted to play pro hockey back home in Finland. With that, the Spitfires once again will roll the dice in Tuesday’s import draft.
“You can never predict,” Spitfires general manager Bill
Bowler said. “All import picks are one-year agreements. A year ago, we didn’t anticipate this, but you have to be prepared for these circumstances.”
The import draft is often a roll of the dice in a good year and while Bowler will take his chances in the first round, he’s opting not to make a pick in the second round and instead will retain the rights to Rafkin.
While the 18-year-old Rafkin is opting to play pro in Europe, he is eligible for this year’s NHL draft, which still has no determined date. Should he be selected and opt to return to North America this season or next season, the Spitfires gladly would bring him back into the fold.
“He’s 100 per cent protected,” Bowler said. “Ruben is pursuing pro avenues and we wish him the best. Having said that, if the OHL is an option, Ruben would be welcomed back.”
Windsor was slated to pick 40th in the first round of 60 teams, but eight clubs have declared plans to pass on making a selection, which now puts the Spitfires on the clock at No. 32.
“We would like to think we would get somebody,” Bowler said. “We’re expecting to get someone to join our club.”
This is a draft that has had more swings and misses over the years than home runs and this year could be even trickier.
Ordinarily, the draft takes place in the week following the NHL draft, which allows teams to explore bringing freshly selected players over to North America to adjust to the game style. However, the NHL draft has been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virus has left the state of play for hockey in North America in limbo for now. The Ontario Hockey League still has not announced a schedule for 202021 or a start date for camps.
“This isn’t a Windsor Spitfires situation; every CHL team is dealing with the same situation,” Bowler said.
But Bowler said it’s important to continue on with business as usual. He’s already signed three players from this year’s OHL Draft and hopes to add another contributing piece to the roster with his import pick on Tuesday.
“This is a very important selection,” Bowler said. “We’re open to any position or age and, at pick 32, we’re hoping there’s someone sitting there that improves our hockey club and we expect to get someone that can contribute to our roster.”
We’re open to any position or age and, at pick 32, we’re hoping there’s someone sitting there that improves our hockey club.