Defenceman Veeti Vaisanen is one of three import players not expected back with the Tigers in 2026-27. (Image Credit: Jett Schwaier/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Sports

Medicine Hat Tigers likely to use three selection in upcoming CHL Import Draft

Jun 23, 2026 | 2:30 PM

The Canadian Hockey League Import Draft is set for Tuesday, June 30, at 9 a.m., and the Medicine Hat Tigers will have three selections available to them.

It will be the second year the Import Draft consists of three rounds, and the CHL enters its second season with three import player spots available on each team’s roster.

There are 61 picks in each of the three rounds, and the Tigers will select third last in each round with picks 59, 120, and 181.

During the 2025-26 season, the Tigers’ imports were 2006-born Finnish defencemen Veeti Vaisanen and Niilopekka Muhonen, and 2007-born Belarusian forward Yaroslav Bryzgalov.

All three players are expected to move on. This would open up spots for three new players from overseas.

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Vaisanen has signed a pro contract with JYP in Finland’s Liiga.

Muhonen is signed with the National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars and is likely to play with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.

Bryzgalov is committed to playing for the Merrimack College hockey team at the NCAA Division I level in 2026-27. However, players have been known to push back commitments, so there is still a possibility he could be back.

The CHL has updated rules to allow teams to select a 20-year-old import player in any round.

Import players who are 16 years old may also be selected, but only in the first round.

The CHL said in a statement that teams will be able to carry only one 16-year-old import player per season. That player can not be traded or replaced by another 16-year-old during the same season. If a club releases that player during the season, the team will be limited to two import players for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.

2026 selections can be traded until Monday, June 29.

Since the first CHL Import Draft was held in 1992, over 2,310 players from outside of Canada and the United States have been selected at this annual event.

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat Tigers likely to use three selection in upcoming CHL Import Draft

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