The Val d’Or Foreurs have selected Calgary Flames first-round pick Matvei Gridin first overall in the CHL’s Import Draft. This is an enormous selection for both Val d’Or, who now have the exclusive right to try and tempt the Russian to join their organization, as well as for Gridin, who now has a big decision to make about his future.
How does the CHL Import Draft work?
Every year, teams in the CHL’s three leagues get together to select players from outside North America, and can select up to two players in the draft. Teams can only dress two import players per season. The players selected in the draft are almost exclusively European and Russian players, with some reporting and others not. The player selected first overall has reported to the CHL team in all but two cases since 2010.
For the Flames, the most recent player selected in the CHL Import Draft was Yan Kuznetsov, who was taken by the Saint John Sea Dogs. He ended his college career at the University of Connecticut and joined the QMJHL side before going on to win the Memorial Cup with them.
What does this mean for Gridin?
Gridin now has a very interesting choice to make between joining Val d’Or or staying with his initial choice and joining the University of Michigan in the NCAA.
Michigan is an elite program, with a number of top-end talents including Rutger McGroarty, Seamus Casey and more. The program is known for pumping out NHL talent, and is arguably one of the most successful NCAA programs in recent history.
Gridin would have a massive opportunity to develop in a strong program and to play alongside elite forwards in his time. This would be a big step up in terms of quality of competition but also in terms of quality of teammates. If everything works out perfectly, he should be playing alongside McGroarty and Michael Hage.
However, playing in the CHL may have its own advantages. While the quality of competition or teammates may not be as high, he will almost certainly earn lots of minutes right off the bat and will get opportunities right away that he wouldn’t otherwise get in college.
On top of that, the pathway to the NHL is much shorter. Gridin will likely play one season in the CHL before making the jump to the AHL and then the NHL in a few years. College is likely three more years before jumping to the AHL.
Finally, while Val d’Or is a weaker team, there is a very good chance his rights are traded to a competitor in the league with much more promise. Rimouski is hosting the Memorial Cup this season and would almost certainly be interested in the first-round talent. Getting a guaranteed chance to play for a trophy is hard to pass up.
What happens now?
It feels likely that the Flames’ first-rounder will come north of the border and continue his career in the QMJHL. Whether he starts or finishes at Val d’Or is a different question, but expect him to play CHL hockey next season.
