Vit Zahejsky in action for HC Energie Karlovy Vary. (Photo via Daniel Kubelka)
The Kamloops Blazers went back to Czechia and took 2007-born forward Vit Zahejsky with the second overall pick at Wednesday’s CHL Import Draft.
A member of the HC Energie Karlovy Vary program, Zahejsky tied for first in scoring as a 15-year-old in the Czechia U17 league with 67 points (27 goals and 40 assists) in 36 games in the 2022-23 season.
Last season, the five-foot-10 right shot forward had 39 points (19 goals and 20 assists) in 42 games as a 16-year-old in the Czechia U20 league. He also had 12 points in five games in the U17 league.
“I think I’m a skilled player who hates to lose,” Zahejsky, a native of Plzen, said. “I can’t wait to come and I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
“He’s a hard worker, he’s skilled, and he wants to be a player,” added Blazers Head Coach and GM Shaun Clouston. “He led his league in scoring a year ago. He’s all in, 100 per cent.”
Zahejsky also suited up for Czechia at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and had a goal and three assists in eight games. He is expected to play for Czechia at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton between August 5 and 10.
Vit is a pretty skilled player – as evident below. I think the Blazers belief is that they wanted a potential three-year player (2007) who will produce. https://t.co/oa8GkRPtKV
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) July 3, 2024
The Blazers had an open import spot after they traded 19-year-old Czech defenseman Vojtech Vochvest to the Prince George Cougars for overage forward Oren Shtrom.
Vochvest put up five assists and 60 penalty minutes in 67 games with the Blazers in 2023-24, his first season in North America.
The Blazers passed on their second round Import Draft pick (62nd overall) Wednesday as Czech defenceman Matteo Koči – who was also picked by the Blazers in the 2023 CHL Import Draft – will return this fall.
The 19-year-old Koči had five goals and 15 points in 52 games last season. He also won a bronze medal at the 2024 World Juniors.
Zahejsky – who is eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft – will be going into this 17-year-old WHL season.
He’s the fourth Czech player taken by the Blazers over the last three CHL Import drafts, joining goaltender Michael Schnattinger who was picked in 2022.
