In this CHL commitment notebook, the Sudbury Wolves signed their top Import pick from the 2022 Import Draft, Jakub Chromiak. He’s projected to be a top prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft. Plus, a pair of WHL teams add players.
’07 (D) Emerson Clark (★★★½) to the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Clark was selected No. 56 overall by the Wheat Kings in the WHL Bantam Draft this past summer. We had Clark was ranked No. 258 in our Top 300 WHL Draft Rankings.
This season Clark is suiting up for the Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA team. In six games thus far he has five points (1g, 4a). He had 41 points (12g, 29a) in 31 games for the U15 team last season.
NZ Scouts: “In one-on-one situations he’s deadly, his smooth skating allows him to get into position and force attackers into areas they don’t want to be. With the puck on his stick, he proved he is a two-way threat. “Skates well with head up” is a note I had written down more than once. His play through the neutral zone is exactly what you want. Not once did I see his forwards slow at the offensive blueline, they either got the puck from him or were chasing smart dumps. He performed well on the powerplay.”
’06 (D) Kolby Gapter (★★★½) to the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Gapter is a Arvada, Colo. native who played for the Rocky Mountain Roughriders ni the T1EHL last season. In 60 games he had 24 points (7g, 17a) from the back end.
Gapter was ranked No. 197 in our 2006 Top 300 National Rankings.
NZ Scouts: “Kolby excelled in all aspects of skating. He looked fast, balanced, showed good edges and an explosive first step. He moved very quickly to limit time and space in his end. He made some big hits in space and on the wall. His balance allowed him to win wall battles and his stick always was prepared for loose pucks or to jar the puck away from an opponent if the hit was not enough. He made several nimble moves in his end to get away from pressure and outlet the puck.”
’05 (D) Jakub Chromiak (NR) to the Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Chromiak is a Slovakian defenseman who was selected No. 7 overall by the Wolves in the 2022 CHL Import Draft this past summer.
During the 2021-22 season, Chromiak played for the Slovakia U18 national team as well as for HK Dukla Trencin U20. In 19 regular season games, the 5’11, 186lbs defenceman had 5 goals, 5 assists, 31 PIM and was a plus 6. He also played 5 games for the HK Dukla Trencin in Slovakia’s top men’s league.
The 16-year-old is a prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft.
