Wolves pick up Czech, Russian in import draft

The Sudbury Wolves picked up two forwards in the CHL import draft on July 2.

The team announced today that it used its first pick to select 18-year-old forward and Minnesota Wild prospect Pavel Jenys of the Czech Republic. The second draft pick was to used to grab 17-year-old Russian forward Ivan Kashtanov.

At 6-2, 190 pounds, Jenys is described as a “physical player with a knack for scoring goals.”

The Minnesota Wild picked the Brno, Czech native in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Jenys was rated 21st overall in the NHL Central Scoutings’ final ranking of European Skaters.

Last season, the big Czech scored 13 goals in 26 games in the Czech U20 junior league, and a further 10 goals in 10 play-off games for the Brno U18 team.

Brent Flahr, the Minnesota Wild's assistant GM, said, “Pavel is a big two-way centreman with good offensive abilities,” the kind of player the Pack has been looking for: big, physical and hardworking.

“The Sudbury Wolves have added two young skilled offensive players who are physically ready to move into our line-up today” notes Wolves’ GM Blaine Smith. “Jenys is a big, strong forward with natural goal-scoring ability … (who) plays a physical brand of hockey.”

Younger and smaller, Kashtanov is a skilled shooter with good leadership skills. At 5-11 and 200 pounds, the 17-year-old captained the CSKA Red Army team in the MHL last season and captained the Russian U17 national team, as well.

Rated a top European prospect Central Scouting for the 2015 NHL draft, Kashtanov was drafted fifth in the 2014 KHL entry draft by CSKA Red Army, and at a recent U17 tournament in Sweden he finished fifth in tournament scoring and added 30 minutes in penalties.

“Kashtanov is a skilled forward with a hard accurate shot and he sees the ice very well” Smith said. “He brings character and leadership qualities to our line-up.”

In other Wolves news, the team's summer office in Greenvale Court at 430 Westmount will remain open throughout the month of July.

Curious about new Sudbury Wolves Season Ticket Loyalty Program? Contact Miranda in the Wolves’ office for more information by calling 705-524-1723 x 226 or by email at [email protected].