Pats Bolster Roster
Regina Pats Add Three New International Players In Recent CHL Import Draft
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The Regina Pats used all three of their import spots in the 2024 CHL Import Draft on July 3, selecting Finnish defenseman Veeti Tukio, Czech defenseman Tomas Cermak, and Slovakian forward Samuel Karsay. Leader-Post reported the picks give the Pats a fully stocked international roster heading into next season.
The team entered the draft with zero returning import players after losing both Ruslan Karimov — who signed a pro contract in Russia — and goaltender Michal Pradel, who is headed to NCAA's Colorado College. A rule change allowing CHL teams to carry three imports, up from two, gave the Pats a rare chance to fill every slot in one draft cycle, according to Ottawa Citizen.
Top Pick Tukio Brings Size and NHL Buzz
Tukio was the marquee selection. The 6-foot-1, 186-pound defenseman was taken 6th overall. He spent the 2023-24 season with Ilves U20 in Finland, putting up 31 points in 44 games. NHL Central Scouting ranked him No. 45 among international skaters for the 2024 NHL Draft, according to Ottawa Sun.
Tukio has already played at major international events. He represented Finland at the 2023 World U17 Hockey Challenge and at the U20 World Juniors. Scouts describe him as a power-play quarterback with strong skating and high hockey sense. If he performs well in the WHL, he could be a significant riser for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Cermak and Karsay Add Depth and Physicality
The Pats took Cermak 66th overall. He played for BK Mladá Boleslav U20 in Czechia's top junior league last season. Karsay, a Slovakian winger, went 126th overall. He split time between Slovakian junior hockey and international youth play, Hanna Herald reported.
Karsay recorded 15 points in 48 games with BK Mladá Boleslav in Czechia's U20 league. His modest numbers raised some eyebrows. But the Pats appear to value his size and physical style over raw offensive production. The two picks give Regina a pair of big-bodied wingers to complement Tukio on the blue line.
New Three-Import Rule Drives Pats' Strategy
Starting this season, CHL teams can carry three import players — one more than before. The policy change was made permanent after a pilot program in 2023-24. It was designed to help teams cope with losing European players to pro contracts or the NCAA route, according to Ottawa Citizen.
Regina needed the extra slot badly. Karimov's move to Russia and Pradel's departure for Colorado College left the Pats with no imports returning. The new rule gave them the flexibility to rebuild the entire import group in one draft. GM Alan Millar said the team wanted to "maximize our picks" given the roster situation.
Pradel's Departure Caps a Difficult Import Cycle
Michal Pradel was the Pats' top import pick in 2023. The Slovakian goaltender never played a game in Regina. He went to the USHL's Tri-City Storm instead and has since committed to Colorado College in the NCAA, Leader-Post reported. His path is a clear example of the growing competition between the CHL and American college hockey for European talent.
The loss of Pradel and Karimov in the same offseason forced the Pats to rebuild from scratch internationally. With Tukio, Cermak, and Karsay now on board, Regina has a new-look import group. Whether they stick around long enough to make an impact will be the key question heading into the 2024-25 WHL season.
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