The Kamloops Blazers have drafted a Swedish defenceman in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.
With the 56th overall pick, they took six-foot-two Viktor Persson, who last played for Brynäs IF in the J20 SuperElit league. In 26 games last season, he put up five goals and 13 assists for 18 points.
“He kind of brings a little bit of everything to the table,” said Blazers GM Matt Bardsley. “We are excited especially because picking at 56, you are never sure if a player like that is going to be there, and he’s a player that we certainly targeted for our selection, so we are really excited that we are able to select him.”
Persson is expected to join Inaki Baragano as the two Blazers import players on the roster with 20-year-old Czech defenceman Libor Zabransky expected to graduate following last season.
“He’s a defenceman [in the mould] of how we want to play the game. He’s a real good skater, he likes to join the rush, he can lead the rush as well,” Bardsley added.
“The clips I saw of him kind of, he’s in all areas of the power play, even strength, and penalty kill. “He’s psychically mature for his age, and he has a bit of a edge to his game when he needs to.”
Persson will be turning 19 in November, and is the 44th ranked European skater going into the 2020 NHL draft.
– With files from Colton Davies
Please welcome 19yr old D Viktor Persson to #Blazernation
6’2” 192lbs LD from Brynäs IF J20 SuperElit!
Today’s selection in the #CHLImportDraft #Kamloops pic.twitter.com/38dYip86SJ— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) June 30, 2020
With the 56th-overall selection in the 2020 #CHLImportDraft, @blazerhockey have selected defenceman Viktor Persson! pic.twitter.com/qYLBGXCmqL
— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 30, 2020