While no players representing the white and red were selected in the Canadian Hockey League import draft, a Polish native was. Defenseman Patryk Zubek went 67th overall to the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Zubek was born in Nowy Targ, Poland, and played his youth hockey for Podhale Nowy Targ. 

Zubek was once a top Polish prospect. He represented his home country at the U16 level at the Riga Cup. After a strong season in 2022 with Podhale Nowy Targ’s U16 and U18 clubs, he made the move to the Slovak junior system. After impressing in his debut year, he was approached to join the Slovak national team and accepted the federation’s offer. He has represented Slovakia twice at the top U18 Division World Championship. The 6’3 defenseman has been one of the best in the Slovak junior leagues with both the HC Banská Bystrica organization and the Slovak national development team. He was slated to play his first senior hockey season with HC Banská Bystrica in 2026. It will be interesting to see if he reports to Canada or stays in Slovakia. 

Players born in 20 different countries were selected in this year’s CHL import draft. Other names that might be familiar to Polish fans were Domán Kristóf Szongoth, Dovydas Jukna, and Mykolas Skadauskas. Domán Kristóf Szongoth appears to be the best Hungarian prospect in a while. At just 16 years old, he represented the Hungarian senior team at the Sosnowiec Cup in Poland. He would later represent Hungary in the top division of the World Championship as well. Dovydas Jukna and Mykolas Skadauskas were both leaders of Lithuania U18 this year. Lithuania was the host and favorite of the Division 1 Group B U18 World Championship in 2025, but was upset by a well-balanced Polish U18 squad.

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