The 2026 CHL Import Draft is set to unfold on June 30, marking the latest edition of a ceremony that has become a crucial stepping stone for elite talent from across Europe and Russia. The Oshawa Generals will hold the first overall pick, a position they earned through the draft order, while the Halifax Mooseheads have moved up to second after a trade with the Baie‑Comeau Drakkar.
The third and fourth selections belong to the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Guelph Storm respectively, completing a top four that reflects a blend of host‑nation clubs and those looking to bolster their rosters with international prospects.
Draft Rules for Young Imports
This year’s edition introduces a tiered eligibility system: 20‑year‑old imports may be chosen in any of the three rounds, whereas 16‑year‑old players are restricted to the opening round and cannot be moved mid‑season without specific conditions.
The Mooseheads, who have a storied history in the import market, previously drafted Oleg Kulebiakin ninth overall and have seen alumni such as Jakub Voracek, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Ladislav Nagy, Filip Zadina and Nikolaj Ehlers ascend to the NHL. This season, Jasu Mensonen added 33 points for Halifax, and Kulebiakin contributed 73 points in 64 games before being selected 52nd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2026 NHL Draft.
The broader impact of the CHL Import Draft is evident in the 22 players from the 2026 cohort who were later selected at the NHL Draft, a list that includes Nikita Klepov, Adam Novotný, Maksim Sokolovskii and the two‑time Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov. Since the draft’s inception in 1992, more than 2,310 European and Russian players have been selected, paving the way for stars such as Leon Draisaitl, Zdeno Chara, Marian Hossa, Nikita Zadorov, Rasmus Andersson, Olli Määttä, Alexander Radulov, David Krejci, Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Svechnikov, all of whom have left indelible marks on the NHL.
Fans can follow the live broadcast on chl.ca/draft, where full results and analysis will be posted shortly after the event.