I've been debating on what to say here about the Import Draft.... and I'm still not sure what I think of the draft itself but it does make the off season go by just a bit faster.
I reviewing the Pats selections in the Import draft the picks have really been hit and miss since the inception.
You can find the Pats Import Draft history here.
Here are all of the Pats selections in the draft and their regular season stats with the Pats. I've ranked them best to worst:
Filip Novak| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
| 1999-02 | 171 | 36
| 128
| 164
| 270
|
Was the Pats top defenceman on many nights. Played a smart game, killed penalties and ran the pp. Is the Pats best Import selection in my opinion.
Petr Kalus| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
2005-06
| 60
| 36
| 22
| 58
| 87
|
Brought a totally different dynamic to the Pats. A European power forward that hit like a ton of bricks, could skate like the wind, demanded attention and scored goals. Probably the only true impact forward Import pick the Pats have taken.
Dmitri Nabokov | season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
| 1996-97 | 50
| 39
| 56
| 95
| 61
|
At almost 2 points per game he is one of the top in that category in Pats history. He was a great stickhandler that could pass with the best of them but for many (and I mean many) stretches he would completely disappear and was in my opinion a disappointment, but gets credit due to his huge numbers. Also had some amazing teammates.
Karel Mosovsky| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
| 1998-01 | 185 | 75 | 85 | 160 | 197 |
Very dependable player for the Pats when he was here. Far from being flashy. Scored some goals (20+ in each season).
Matej Trojovsky| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
2001-03
| 137
| 6
| 16
| 22
| 383
|
An Import that liked (maybe even loved) to fight. Was far from flashy. Was very dependable and pretty tough. I was sad to see him get traded.
Radek Duda| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
| 1998-99 | 65 | 24
| 31 | 55 | 139 |
Started his Pats career like a house on fire but quickly faded away and the fans (myself included) weren't too upset when he was dealt (he did light it up in Lethbridge but that's the breaks).
Petr Dvorak| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
2002-03
| 64
| 16
| 23
| 39
| 30
|
In all honesty I almost forgot about Petr. He wasn't good but he wasn't bad either.... Other guys could have played his role on the team.
Tomas Hricina| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
2008-09
| 67
| 12
| 10
| 22
| 50
|
I'm looking for bigger things from Tomas this year. He is an amazing stickhandler that seems to have gotten a grip on the Canadian style of play.... hopefulle he can improve on his numbers.
Ivo Kratena| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
2003-04
| 70
| 9
| 18
| 27
| 31
|
Was a good dependable player who was putting up good numbers until other teams caught on that if you hit him he would disappear. He was a decent 3rd liner and pk player but in no way a gamebreaker.
Rudolf Cerveny| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
2007-09
| 116
| 16
| 24
| 40
| 84
|
After a promising start to his Pats career his numbers dipped and he looked out of place in the gong show 2008-09 season. As he has signed to play pro at home I do wish him well but in my opinion he is far from being a top Import. I would say he was a disappointment.
Kamil Vavra| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
2003-04
| 20
| 3
| 2
| 5
| 24
|
Started good. Play tailed off and was released.
Jan Zapletal| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
2004-05
| 55
| 3
| 2
| 5
| 20
|
In training camp was the Pats best skater and by far the fastest. 2 distinct memories I have of Jan are him scoring from near centre ice on Calgary's Dan Spence and Red Deer Rebel Stuart Kerr knocking him out with one punch. Sorry but that's what I remember.
Niko Snellman| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
2006-07
| 32
| 5
| 5
| 10
| 65
|
Wanted to fight.... got hurt twice fighting. Wanted to hit but was tooooo slooooooow to catch anyone to hit.
Pavel Beranek| season(s) | gp | g | a | pts | pim |
|---|
| 1997-98 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Just a blip on the Pats radar (I believe he got homesick and went back home)
Never suited up for the Pats (for whatever reason): Libor Polasek, Pavel Kriz, Stanislav Shumakov, Alexei Morozov, Alexandre Fomitchev, Martin Hanzel, Anze Kopitar, Marco Insam
--------
I hope for the Pats sake Parker can pick an impact player the will actually want to come to the WHL. I'm at a toss up over what I would want him to pick..... a pick moving d-man or a scoring forward. If all else fails pick a kid (17) and develop him. But who am I to say what will be or won't be done.
KS
