The Sudbury Wolves secured two new players in the CHL Import Draft on Tuesday — 16-year-old defenceman Stefan Stepanov from Russia and 17-year-old forward Edijs Leitans from Latvia.
Stepanov is a 6-1, 175 pound, left-shot defenceman, who is highly-touted for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, according to a press release. Stepanov played for Krylya of the second division league in Russia last season. He also participated in the Tyumen tournament with the U20 Russian team.
“Stefan skates well, has good hockey sense, and likes to join the rush,” said his coach Sergei Nemchinov, in the release. “He played for me in the Tyumen Tournament even though he was two years younger than the other players. He wasn't scared to play. In the final game I put him in the first defence pairing and he played well.”
Leitans is a huge left-shot wing at 6-5, 215 pounds, who loves the physical game, according to the press release. Leitans recorded six goals and 16 assists for 22 points in 27 games in the German Junior league last season. Leitans also recorded one goal and two assists in five games for Latvia in the World U18 tournament in April.
“Eddie is the big power forward we were looking to find in the Import draft,” said Wolves’ coach and general manager Mike Foligno. “He loves to play physical but he has the hands to score big goals.
“Both players are here for at least two years and we are confident that they will be effective players for us.”
With the newly drafted Imports, the Wolves released Sergei Sheleg from their protected list. The Wolves will now prepare to bring their newly drafted players to Sudbury in August.
