JUNIOR DRAFTS
Two Vegas Golden Knights were drafted Thursday in the CHL Import Draft by the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League.
Defenseman Erik Brannstrom and goaltender Jiri Patera were selected by the Wheat Kings with the 44th and 104th picks overall. Goaltender Maksim Zhukov was selected 48th overall by the Barrie Colts.
"I wanted to go to the CHL really bad," said Patera, who's from the Czech Republic. "It's the best junior hockey league in the world. I'm glad that the Brandon Wheat Kings drafted me."
Brannstrom played in the top league in Sweden last year, the Swedish Hockey League, and said he's focused on playing with the Golden Knights next year.
"My goal is to play on the Vegas Golden Knights next year," said Branstromm. "We'll see after that what happens. We'll see. It's my goal to play here."
LAST YEAR'S TOP PICKS
Picked at No. 15 in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the goals Brannstrom conveyed in his talk about hoping to play with Golden Knights next year is noticed by the staff.
Golden Knights Assistant Coach Ryan McGill said Brannstrom could still develop in the CHL, but certainly made some strides in improving his game last year playing against professionals in Sweden.
"Anytime you can play with people older than you, better than you, you're only going to get better as long as you don't take steps back in confidence, you're on track to succeed," McGill said. "Confidence with him, he has that strong frame and he's not afraid to get into corners. Confidence comes from the strength."
Brannstrom has looked quick and surefooted with solid puck handling skills so far through development camp.
"He's a dynamic player for sure," McGill said. "He's one of those guys, he sees the play develop, moves the puck up well. You can tell he's a little young too. He'll become efficient, not quite there but real good raw ability.
"Every day he plays with older guys, over here he'll get better and understand his limitations."
Likewise, Cody Glass - last year's No. 6 overall pick in the NHL Draft - has made steady improvements from last year. The Winnipeg native had 102 points, including 65 assists, with the Portland Winterhawks in the Western Hockey League.
"Seeing him in the rookie games in L.A. last year to now, he's more mature physically, stronger on the feet," McGill said. "Coming from 18 to 19, it's maturity. You have that much more confidence. He's trending upward."
Glass has said he'd like to take a leadership role during this development camp, but McGill said that's something you can't force and the coaches try to stay out of it.
"If you come here as a second=year player and do something that isn't you, you'll get out of your element," McGill said. "We watch and observe in the gym and on the ice, you don't want to say too much and you don't want to force it."
