EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips went young in Wednesday’s Canadian Hockey League import draft as they selected a pair of 2000-born forwards.
With their first pick the Tips took Slovakian left winger Martin Fasko-Rudas at No. 52 overall. Everett was slated to pick 58th, but six teams passed prior to Everett’s pick.
In the second round the Tips selected forward Pavel Azhgirei from Belarus.
General manager Garry Davidson said both players are expected to report to training camp in August.
“These were two guys we identified and we’re very excited to actually have acquired them picking where we did,” Davidson said. “(They are) both young, immature as players yet, no question about that, but they’re players we got real solid reports on so we’re very excited they’re joining us and we know we could potentially have them here for a few years and see them grow into big-time players for us and possibly move on to the next level.”
Fasko-Rudas is listed at 5-foot-10 and 157 pounds. He spent last season with Slovakia’s Under-18 national club and collected 10 goals and 12 assists in 35 games. He was part of a championship club at the U18 level and also appeared in 15 overall postseason games with HK Dukla Trencin at the U-18 and U-20 levels, collecting four goals and 12 assists.
“I think he’s a very skilled, intelligent player who I have been told has the potential to be an NHL pick at some point,” Davidson said. “But physically he’s got some maturing to do. He’s got to get stronger and fill out, but certainly a top-six (forward) and I’m sure a power-play type guy.”
Azhgirei checks in at 6-foot-6 and 192 pounds. He helped Belarus’ National U17 club earn a championship at last season’s Mac’s Midget AAA Tournament in Calgary, boasting four goals and six assists in seven games of competition while burying a pair of goals in the title game victory.
“I’ve actually seen him on video,” Davidson said. “He’s another guy that I’m sure has to get stronger, but I certainly liked his stick skills and he competes pretty well and with that big reach and range, he should be a pretty effective player.”
The Silvertips lost each of their import players from last season. Austrian Dominic Zwerger, who was acquired in an early-season trade with the Spokane Chiefs, aged out of the league and is now playing professionally in Switzerland.
Finnish forward Eetu Tuulola wasn’t signed by the Calgary Flames by the June 15 deadline so he remains under contract with HPK of Liiga, the top professional league in Finland. HPK has exercised its rights and called him back for the coming season.
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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