Champlain Athletic Draft Concludes

To the surprise of many, Champlain Athletic Club's WHL Entry Draft is over after four rounds.

The team chose Max Friberg out of Timrå in Sweden with their fourth round pick. "We whiffed on a couple other targets who were taken ahead of our pick, namely Bogdan Yakimov, but we're happy with Max; he's a quality player who can play well in all three zones and he's got a track record at the junior level. He's ready for the next step, which our development program will help him make," said GM Locria Fox, citing Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk's Yakimov as their target this round. "His forechecking is relentless, and he's a quality player to have around, he works hard and has a good attitude." Friberg adds to the list of World Junior alumni, having won a gold medal with Sweden in 2012, at a tournament he led with 9 goals.

The team then revealed it was their last pick of the draft, as all three fifth round picks were shipped to Gulfcoast Guardians in exchange for a third round pick in 2017. "There weren't enough quality players left who follow our rules," said Fox.

Back in Burlington, players continue to work hard at camp. New draftees Shayne Gostisbehere, Andrew Copp, and Michael Paliotta arrived today and will start their training camp tomorrow. "It's good to be back in Burlington," said Paliotta, captain of UVM this past season. "I spent four terrific years at UVM, and now I get to play professionally in a place I love, it's a dream come true. I can't wait to get back on the Gutterson ice."