Rafikov may come to the CHL next year

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

Would Selanne be an import? He's dual citizen, USA and Finland, born in California, so he should be a regular player for WHL.

I think something similar happened with David Musil. Born in Calgary, but holds Czech Citizenship and as he was declared to play with the Czech National Team he technically became an import. He also had dual citizenship and lived both in Czech and Canada.

I believe Selanne falls under the same rule as while he has North American citizenship, he is technically a foreign player (i.e. will not play for Canada or the USA in international tournaments) and has residence outside of the USA.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by dammage79

As he is only 18 at this point he can have two more years of development in the CHL right? And has another shot at the WJC next as well if his birthdate does not conflict.

He has a 1995 birth date, so he can play in next year's World Juniors.

If my understanding of the CHL rules is correct, I believe he could play the 2015-16 season as an overager if the Flames chose for him to do that.

Also, as a player drafted out of Europe, the Flames hold his rights for four years instead of two before they have to sign him.

[cznTiburon]

If he can't find a spot on calgary it would be nice to get him somewhere with prospects already, like Victoria to play with kanzig. Good to hear a Russian kid wants to come here to get better

[foshizzle11]

that is good, what do we know about him and his play this season? How is he playing so far?

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

that is good, what do we know about him and his play this season? How is he playing so far?

From the flames article this thread is based on.

His Loko squad currently sits atop the MHL with 123 points. They’ve lost just five times in regulation all season.

In 41 games this season, Rafikov shares the team lead in points among blueliners with seven goals and 18 points and boasts the third highest plus/minus on the club with an impressive plus-29 rating.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Excellent news. Flames really need a kid like this in their pipeline - mean defencemen.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Drury18

I think something similar happened with David Musil. Born in Calgary, but holds Czech Citizenship and as he was declared to play with the Czech National Team he technically became an import. He also had dual citizenship and lived both in Czech and Canada.

I believe Selanne falls under the same rule as while he has North American citizenship, he is technically a foreign player (i.e. will not play for Canada or the USA in international tournaments) and has residence outside of the USA.

Sorry, know this isn't the topic of the thread, but I'm still curious about this. I still think Selanne would not be an import, because unlike Musil (He played minor hockey in Czech Republic), he played all his minor hockey in California. The feeder league for Major junior for California is the WHL, so you think he would be allowed to be apart of that system? Plus he is a protected player already for the Hitmen I thought, and we've already established you need to be picked in the import draft if you're an import, which I'm positive Selanne never was a part of.

[PeteMoss]

I know in the ohl a team was able to get a player selected in the import draft labelled as a non import to his dad being Canadian or having a home in Canada or something. I'll see if I can find a link.

Edit: http://loosepucks.com/index.php/2011...eclared?blog=3

[Enoch Root]

I think it would be a smart move by Rafikov, and I would like to see it.

He has good size and plays a physical game. He looked pretty good in the WJ tryout squad games (whatever they were called) and a year in junior is the way to show where his game is at.

I think there is some potential here. A year in the WHL and a WJ tourney, and maybe we have us another decent prospect.

[Vulcan]

Yeah, getting a player acclimated to NA hockey is usually a good thing.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Serious question: Is he good enough to warrant a selection in the import draft? I would think there are many skilled Europeans looking for a chance in NA and only a few spots opening up from year to year.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Serious question: Is he good enough to warrant a selection in the import draft? I would think there are many skilled Europeans looking for a chance in NA and only a few spots opening up from year to year.

If an NHL team takes a chance on him, a CHL team will likely do so as well.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Serious question: Is he good enough to warrant a selection in the import draft? I would think there are many skilled Europeans looking for a chance in NA and only a few spots opening up from year to year.

I think you overestimate the competition for those euro spots. He would definitely get picked IMO.

[DOOM]

Do the Hitmen have room?

I am assuming Padakin turns pro in the AHL/ECHL or Europe and the Hitmen keep Fazleev.

Do they have another European waiting to join the team next year?

[Drury18]

Not officially. The only two import picks from the last two years are Padakin and Fazeleev.

As mentioned before, not sure how Eetu Selanne gets classified but he could potentially be an import.

[DOOM]

Any more rumours/news about Rafikov potentially coming over?

[Freeway]

FYI: The Import Draft is the Wednesday after the NHL Draft.

[Matty81]

Send him out here, this place is like an NHL dman factory. Wonder how quick he'll go in the import draft.

Myers, Keith, Weber, Schenn, Edler, Gorges, Barrie, Hannan and 3 or 4 drafted dmen on the current roster - I dunno any other CHL teams that have so many current NHL dmen of such a high calibre. Every one except Hannan came through under Ryan Huska as well. Guy knows how to train young defencemen.

[sureLoss]

update:

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?...d=rss-peterson

Craig [Conroy] has been working hard to get him here for development camp," Treliving explained. "There is a visa issue, he’s having a visa issue to get into the country. To be perfectly honest, I haven’t checked on that in a few days. We’re hopeful to get him here in July."

There is also a chance that Rafikov heads to North America full-time in fall. The Russian is eligible in the CHL Import Draft, held on July 2, and if selected, he could land on a WHL, OHL, or QMJHL roster in September.

"There is always an opportunity, potentially, for him coming over," Treliving stated. "That hasn’t been a focus right now. But we’ll hopefully get him here for development camp.”

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

update:

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?...d=rss-peterson

If he is passed up at the CHL draft, can he play in the AHL?