The Kelowna Rockets have made their first-round selection (32nd overall) in the 2024 CHL Import Draft.
They went with 2007-born Max Psenicka. The six-foot-four, 176-pound defenceman spent the majority of last season with HC Slavia Praha U17 (CzechU17), recording 35 points (10G, 25A).
He had 48 penalty minutes, and a +30 plus/minus rating in 39 games. Psenicka posted another four points (1G, 3A) through six playoff games.
The import draft is an annual event in which every club in the CHL can draft players from outside of North America.
Also, as of Wednesday (July 3) 12 current and former Rockets players are attending NHL development camps.
Current players at camps:
- Tij Iginla - Utah Hockey Club;
- Hiroki Gojsic - Nashville Predators;
- Caden Price - Seattle Kraken;
- Ethan Neutens - Los Angeles Kings;
- Max Graham - New Jersey Devils;
- Andrew Cristall - Washington Capitals.
Iginla, Gojsic and Graham were picked at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas last weekend. Neutens earned an invite after going undrafted. He will eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Cristall and Price have signed NHL entry-level contracts with their respective clubs. They must make their teams or be returned to the WHL.
Last year's CHL Import pick, Jakub Stancl, a fourth-round pick of the St. Louis Blues in 2023, is attending their development camp.