2009 CHL Import Draft

Each June the CHL conducts it’s Import Draft, which allows teams from the QMJHL, OHL and WHL to draft the top European players. This year, the Lewiston MAINEiacs selected defenseman Riku Dufva and forward Oskar Orrpars. Both players were chosen in the second round of the draft.

Dufva, a Finnish defenseman was chosen with the 66th overall pick. The 5’11”, 210 pound blue liner, plays a stay-at-home style and brings many other intangibles to his game.

“Riku is a thick, strong, and experienced 19-year old, who brings a lot to the table,” Lewiston GM Roger Shannon said. “He has power play potential, energetic, and will bring some maturity to help our younger guys develop.”

Dufva spent last season with JYP Jyvaskyla in Finland, registering two goals, nine assists, and 66 penalty minutes in 37 games.

The MAINEiacs used their second pick of the day to draft 17-year old forward Oskar Orrpars. The Swedish native scored 8 goals and 14 assists in 33 games for the Djurgardens U-18 squad last season.

“Oskar is a highly skilled player, who has great upside and a great passion for the game,” said Shannon. “He will have the opportunity to grow, and is already acclimated to the North American style of hockey.”

The acquisition of both of these players, adds to an already restructured MAINEiacs roster. Lewiston’s lineup currently features eight first-round draft picks.

“Coach MacAdam has a lot of young talent, which possess tons of skill and game smarts,” said Shannon. “The next step is to mold them all into complete hockey players and into a successful team.”