Last Thursday the Canadian Hockey League conducted it’s 2018 Import Draft where teams had the chance to select foreign (non-North American) players. As a reminder, teams in the CHL are allowed to dress and play a maximum of two import players per season. This year’s draft was interesting as it was the first time since 2013 that foreign goaltenders were eligible for selection. There had been a ban on selecting foreign goaltenders as the CHL felt it was harming the developmental opportunities for Canadian goaltenders. This ban being lifted opened up another path for Devils prospect Akira Schmid (2018 5/136) who has primarily featured at the Elite Junior level in his native Switzerland.
Examining Akira Schmid’s Likely Move to the Lethbridge Hurricanes
