Breaking down our favourite picks at the 2026 CHL Import Draft

Canadian Hockey League

One of our favourite drafts here at Elite Prospects, the CHL Import Draft is always exciting.

It’s not necessarily a draft based on ability, but on signability.

There are backroom deal, surprise picks, home run swings, and more. Nothing’s ever set in stone. One month, a pick will never report. The next, they’ve changed their mind and signed with the team.

Following last year’s expansion on Import limits from two to three, the CHL made two major changes: 16-year-old imports are eligible to be picked (2010-born players), as are overagers (2006-born players).

In total, eight 2010s were picked, including the top 2010 in Europe by our ranking. That’s where we start in the list of our favourite picks.

Matyáš Michálek, LD, Oshawa Generals (1st overall)

With the first pick of the draft, the Oshawa Generals selected our No. 1 ranked European 2010-born player in Matyáš Michálek. The 6-foot-3 defenceman already played big minutes at the U18s as a double under-ager, and would have the physical tools, sense, and maturity required to become a top-end minute-eater at the OHL level as early as next season. Having a clear path to playing full-time professional minutes in Czechia next season, though, the real challenge will be getting him to report. But if he does, the payoff could be massive.

Timothy Kazda, RW, Guelph Storm (4th overall)

For years, Timothy Kazda has drawn a lot of hype, but it was his MVP-winning U18s that launched him into the greater hockey consciousness. He co-led the tournament in scoring with NHL first-rounder Elton Hermansson, bringing transition skills, shooting ability, and an edge to his game. He can deceive opponents, power through contact, and flashes some high-end vision, too. If he reports to Guelph, which seems likely, he should become a top-line scorer and a key piece of the Memorial Cup host’s title aspirations. He’s a top prospect for the 2027 NHL Draft.

Oskari Ahmajärvi, G, Brampton Steelheads (7th overall)

This pick from Brampton feels like a perfect fit. Oskari Ahmajärvi brings the speed and quickness, blended with a wide butterfly that allows him to succeed at this level. Goalies have succeeded with the Steelheads before. Ahmajärvi’s skating and compete allow him to beat pucks around the zone and take up the lower half of the net really well. Whether his style will fully translate to higher levels is uncertain, but Ahmajärvi looks like he’ll be a strong starter for the Steelheads.

Jakub Floriš, RD, Vancouver Giants (9th overall)

With our team having rated him as a top-64 pick, we thought the Nashville Predators got good value selecting Jakub Floriš in the fourth round of the NHL draft. Through his mobility, carrying ability, and defensive range, the 6-foot-3 blueliner could become a top-pairing fit for the Vancouver Giants in short order, too. WHL would also be the optimal environment for him to work on rounding out his game and adding even more physicality.

Andrei Nikolayev, G, Victoriaville Tigres (11th overall)

Following a mid-season tender from the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers, Andrei Nikolayev proved he belonged in the USHL after a strong start in the NAHL. Nikolayev is among the top goaltenders available for the 2027 NHL draft. An athletic goaltender with a never-ending tank of gas, Nikolayev battles through screens and does a good job of getting his eyes on the puck early. Victoriaville has a history with Russians, and Nikolayev looks like the starter next year following the departure of Penguins’ draft pick Gabriel D'Aigle.

Gordei Khotkov, LD, Saginaw Spirit (16th overall)

Gordei Khotkov is a player who could really shine in the Saginaw Spirit system. Our 6th-ranked 2010-born European player, Khotkov is a hulking blueliner whose non-stop activation game and legitimately impressive skill flashes make him impossible to miss every time he steps to the ice. He's also a raw project in many ways, and it could take him a while to acclimate, but the upside of this pick is unquestionably enormous.

Ossi Tukio, LD, Regina Pats (18th overall)

Ossi Tukio could provide the Regina Pats with what Arttu Kärki did to the Soo Greyhounds a few years back. An offensively-leaning defenceman with a big shot and never-ending desire to influence the game, Tukio could immediately provide a solid power play presence at the WHL level. Concerns about his processing speed and decision-making likely prevented him from being drafted to the NHL, but a big draft-plus-one season in North America could change things.

Max Melicherík, C/RW, Portland Winterhawks (30th overall)

Our seventh-ranked European player in the 2010-born age group, Max Melicherík is coming off a very strong season, dominating the Finnish U18 ranks with Tappara and already playing up multiple levels internationally, too. He's a highly-skilled operator offensively, bringing dual-threat upside but also having flashed a physical edge that could be further honed in the WHL. A potential first-rounder for the 2029 NHL draft, he's a high-upside swing for the Portland Winterhawks, and could be a top-six fit for years to come if he reports.

Artyom Mate, LD, Charlottetown Islanders (32nd overall)

There's no doubt in our minds that Artyom Mate would make an immediate impact for the Charlottetown Islanders. Mature beyond his years, the big-bodied defenceman was a consistent standout for our Eastern Europe scout Dylan Griffing, shining through his ability to process the game but also bringing intriguing physical tools to the table. He'll be a player to watch for next year's NHL draft, wherever the plays.

Jakub Frolo, C, Kelowna Rockets (33rd overall)

The fact that Jakub Frolo ended up going unselected in the NHL draft was a bit of a surprise to us, but his game should scale very well to the WHL nonetheless. He'll be able to rack up points through his playmaking prowess, and his pest-like qualities should serve him well, too. Unlikely to find a regular role with Ilves' Liiga team while having nothing left to gain at the Finnish U20 level, a move to the Kelowna Rockets would also be the ideal move for his long-term development. Adding more pace and functional physicality in the WHL could put him on the path of an over-ager selection in the NHL draft.

Mikhail Cherepanov, LD, Kamloops Blazers (39th overall)

After being a surprise late-round pick by the Dallas Stars, the NAHL’s Mikhail Cherepanov appears to have his next destination: The Kamloops Blazers. It’ll be a big step, but Cherepanov has the confident, aggressive game that often thrives in the WHL. He’s a skilled 1-on-1 player, a mean net-front defender, and one of the most frequent activators around. Defence, details, and puck management all need major work. There’s a chance he doesn’t work out in the WHL, but also a chance that he’s a productive, PP1 defender.

Luca Santala, C/W, London Knights (40th overall)

The London Knights always swing big in this draft, trusting in their gravitas and ability to get big names to report. That's exactly what they did by picking the top Finnish prospect for the 2027 NHL draft in Luca Santala (and also Juho Piiparinen with their second-round pick). Already leading his team in scoring at the U18s as an under-ager, Santala's off-puck instincts and finishing talent would make him an immediate scoring threat in the OHL, too. The problem? He recently signed a two-year Liiga deal with Kiekko-Espoo.

Oliver Ozogány, LW, Saint John Sea Dogs (44th overall)

After starting the season with a hat trick at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Oliver Ozogány had a tough season statistically, but he still showed plenty of skill. An intelligent playmaker, he puts the finishing touches on his teammates’ give-and-gos and often has creative passing solutions to intense defensive pressure. He’s also a skilled off-puck finisher and has flashes of physicality. Given that, it’s easy to see him being the perfect complement to fellow top 2027 NHL Draft prospect Alexis Joseph. If he heads to the QMJHL, it’s easy to envision him filling the net, especially if he adds more pace and motor to his game.

Yegor Rybkin, G, Moncton Wildcats (53rd overall)

An early-season injury cut the Kings’ 3rd round draft pick season short, but Yegor Rybkin showed a lot of upside in his draft year nonetheless. Before his injury, Rybkin was splitting games with fellow draft-eligible Marat Sabitov, and posted a 0.915 SV% through 11 games with Nizhny Novgorod’s MHL club. Highly athletic and an effortless skater, Rybkin combines this rare profile with his size to take away space and time effectively. Moncton will be without Rudy Guimond next season, so Rybkin looks like the one to take the starting gig next season if he comes across.

Roman Andreev, LW, Kitchener Rangers (55th overall)

Roman Andreev knows how to score goals, arguably better than any other 2010-born player from Europe. The shooting talent alone could make him a top-tier OHL scorer for the next few years, but there's also potential for more. The handling skill is legitimate, and if the footspeed improves and the playmaking flashes become more regular, he could eventually become a true top-line impact winger for the Kitchener Rangers.

Atte Vuori, C, Everett Silvertips (61st overall)

One of the most talented forwards in his age group in Finland who only went undrafted because of his lack of size, Atte Vuori could be this year's Matias Vanhanen for the Everett Silvertips. The offensive upside might not be quite on the same level, but Vuori brings more pace and additional positional value as a centre. And thanks to the deceptive playmaking, he'll be able to rack up his fair share of points if he reports, too. This organization just knows what they're doing when it comes to picking the right Finns.

Vilmer Salén Forsberg, G, Brantford Bulldogs (62nd overall)

A year after being selected by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL Phase 1 draft, Vilmer Salén Forsberg finds himself as a CHL import draft pick. The Brantford Bulldogs moved on from Ryerson Leenders, trading him to the Owen Sound Attack over the offseason. Salén Forsberg’s frame stands out right away, listed at 6-foot-6. Salén Forsberg blends poise and positional skills to take away as much of the net as possible. Salén Forsberg projects to be a tandem netminder in the OHL next season if he signs.

Oliver Torkki, RW, Swift Current Broncos (67th overall)

Oliver Torkki mostly flew under the radar last season, but he could sneakily end up being a good CHLer as early as next year. He's smart with and without the puck, knowing how to create chances for himself through picking the right routes, but also flashed a noteworthy power-forward flair to his game during his best nights. He might not be an impact player on day one, but could end up providing solid value down the line.

Samuel Hrenák, G, Moose Jaw Warriors (76th overall)

Following a mid season move to Fargo last year, Samuel Hrenak was selected in the third round by the Jets. Hrenák has a great work ethic, never taking his foot off the pedal during a game. Hrenák has decent skating ability too, often beating the pass and remaining square and able to make a second move. Hrenák could be a high-end starter in junior, outperforming his draft position.

Tobias Krämer, RD, Niagara IceDogs (86th overall)

A 6-foot-6 defenceman who can really fly with the puck in transition and manhandle attackers physically, Tobias Krämer is the ultimate raw project for the Niagara IceDogs. The tools are incredibly attractive, but he's also unusually behind the curve in many others ways for a player of his age. If positional awareness, reads, and decision-making improve, though, the upside will be tangible.

Dmitri Kubantsev, RW, Newfoundland Regiment (99th overall)

Originally slated to play for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks this past season, visa issues pushed Dmitri Kubantsev to the BCHL. There, he was one of the league’s best players, and if it weren’t for the lack of exposure, he could’ve easily been an NHL pick. He’s not only a skilled handler, but a deceptive one, too, routinely pulling defenders one way before attacking the other. There are flashes of playmaking, too. His energy level wavers at times, and he could better use his frame in battles. If the QMJHL is indeed his next stop, he could become a top-six scorer and a top re-entry pick.

Alexander Sapozhnikov, LD, Saskatoon Blades (103rd overall)

Alexander Sapozhnikov might be the most enigmatic player picked this year. He was in a development jail last year, barely playing for large stretches of it, but when he did, the profile looked highly intriguing. A late-blooming, 6-foot-6 defenceman with offensively-leaning mindset, a booming shot, and budding physical edge, the Saskatoon Blades could get a legitimate home run out of this selection, even if there's plenty of uncertainty, too.

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Canadian Hockey League 2026 NHL Draft 2027 NHL Draft 2028 NHL Draft 2029 NHL Draft NHL Prospects QMJHL OHL WHL