Eager and raring to join Rangers
Forwards Liska and Hugg are drafted by Kitchener
KITCHENER — There will be a European presence at the Aud next season.
The Kitchener Rangers selected two forwards in Wednesday’s Canadian Hockey League import draft and the team is confident that both will be wearing red, white and blue on East Avenue in September.
“I’ve talked to both players and their agents,” said general manager Mike McKenzie.
“Barring any unforeseen circumstances we expect both guys to be in our lineup next year.”
The Rangers chose Slovakian forward Adam Liska with the 29th pick in the first round and Swedish forward/centre Rickard Hugg with the 60th selection in the second round of the online draft.
In all, 72 players from 11 countries were taken in the two-round draft. Forward Andrei Svechnikov of the United States Hockey League’s Muskegon Lumberjacks went first overall to the Barrie Colts and was one of 19 Russians selected.
“We’re happy,” said McKenzie. “We got two forwards and they’re both guys that can come in and play right away and be good players for us probably for two years.”
Liska, 17, has scored at every level. The Bratislava native had 13 goals and 29 points in 23 games with Team Slovakia U18 and also led the Slovaks in scoring with six points in five games at the U18 world championships.
“He’s a skilled player but competes every shift and works hard,” said McKenzie. “You’re never going to get a lack effort from him in a game.”
Some scouting services had Hugg pegged to go in this past weekend’s NHL draft.
Like Liska, the 18-year-old Swede has an offensive touch, as evident by his 38 points in 32 games with Leksand’s U18 side last season. “He’s a versatile centre,” said McKenzie. “His compete level is very good, he’s a smart player and plays a 200-foot game. He has enough skill, smarts and instincts with the puck to create offence.”
Liska was an alternate captain for Slovakia at the U18 world championships while Hugg captained Sweden to a silver medal at the same event and also donned the ‘C’ for his country at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament last summer.
“It’s great to have numbers and stats but we’re trying to build a certain culture here where the guys are good people and buy into the program,” said McKenzie. “That’s important for us and both guys fall into that category.”
The Rangers drafted German centre Cedric Schiemenz and Swedish forward Lias Andersson in last year’s import draft. Schiemenz had nine points in 49 games and was released by the team earlier this week.
Andersson remained abroad to play pro for HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League and was drafted seventh overall by the New York Rangers in this year’s NHL draft.
Kitchener now has 15 forwards under contract for next season which means there will be a battle for jobs.