Fredrik
07-03-2007, 02:31 AM
From a blog of one of Swedens most highly regarded hockey writers, expressen.se Gunnar Nordström
http://blogg.expressen.se/nhl/
Translation:
Canadian juniorclubs who draft european players in the CHL Import Draft usually have a deal with the players beforehand.
But Kelowna Rockets didn´t when they drafted Mikael Backlund from Västerås.
So why did the club from WHL waste one of their european draft choices on an unsure card?
– Good queston, we hadn´t heard anytging from them before. They tried to pull one, quite simple, says Backlunds agent, Claes Elefalk, CAA Sports in Stockholm.
According to sources, Kelowna had promised Calgary, who drafted Backlund about a week ago, to hold a spot for the player if Calgary would succeed signing him to a rookie contract.
Then the Flames would let him play in the smaler north american rinks in the junior league, and, in this case, in Kelowna.
But Backlund turned down Calgary
– Kelowna can only hope Backlund comes nexr fall, but there are no promises of that sort, says Elefalk."
Thought it was interesting that Kelowna and Flames had contact, but don´t think we should read to much into the fact that Backlund doesn´t come over. Better to stay close to home, get playing time and develope in the SHL.
http://blogg.expressen.se/nhl/
Translation:
Canadian juniorclubs who draft european players in the CHL Import Draft usually have a deal with the players beforehand.
But Kelowna Rockets didn´t when they drafted Mikael Backlund from Västerås.
So why did the club from WHL waste one of their european draft choices on an unsure card?
– Good queston, we hadn´t heard anytging from them before. They tried to pull one, quite simple, says Backlunds agent, Claes Elefalk, CAA Sports in Stockholm.
According to sources, Kelowna had promised Calgary, who drafted Backlund about a week ago, to hold a spot for the player if Calgary would succeed signing him to a rookie contract.
Then the Flames would let him play in the smaler north american rinks in the junior league, and, in this case, in Kelowna.
But Backlund turned down Calgary
– Kelowna can only hope Backlund comes nexr fall, but there are no promises of that sort, says Elefalk."
Thought it was interesting that Kelowna and Flames had contact, but don´t think we should read to much into the fact that Backlund doesn´t come over. Better to stay close to home, get playing time and develope in the SHL.