The Canadian Hockey League held its annual Import Draft today and the Barrie Colts came away with a big Ukrainian defenceman and a highly touted Swedish right-winger with their two picks.
The CHL Import Draft is open to all 60 member teams in the Ontario, Western and Quebec junior leagues. Barrie had the top pick among OHL franchises.
With the third-overall pick in the draft, the Colts chose left-handed defenceman Artur Cholach. The 18-year-old native of Novoyavorivsk, Ukraine had one assist in four games this past season with the Sokol Kiev in the Ukrainian Professional Hockey League, as well as two goals in nine playoff games.
Cholach, who stands six-foot-two and weighs 201 pounds, also had three goals and seven assists in 16 games with the New Jersey Titans U18 'AAA' team during the 2019-20 season.
In the second round with the 118th pick, Barrie selected Swedish right-winger Oskar Olausson. During the 2020-21 season, the 18-year-old scored three goals and had three assists in 11 games with Sodertalje, as well as three goals and one assist in 16 games with HV71.
The Stockholm native, who stands just over six-foot-one and weighs 180 pounds, is ranked 13th overall among European skaters heading into the upcoming NHL Draft, which is scheduled for July 23-24.
Ontario Hockey League member teams selected 27 players from across 12 different countries in the 30th annual CHL Import Draft, which was held online. For the compete draft results, click here.
