One year after drafting the only non-Slovakian foreign-born player in Lewiston Maineiacs history, the organization went right back to its bread and butter Thursday.

With the 29th overall selection in the 2008 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, the 10th selection in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Maineiacs grabbed Slovakian forward Filip Janosik.

“We went a little different than we had in the past,” Maineiacs’ Head Coach and GM Ed Harding said. “We went with a younger kid who’s going to be here for up to three years, and he is a three-year plan for us.”

According to a Czech Republic Web site, the just-turned-17 Janosik played last season in the Czech Republic for HC Bili Tygri Liberec. There, the 5-foot, 9-inch, 165 pound speedster recorded 21 goals and 23 assists in 40 games with the Under-18 squad, and one goal in four games with the U-20s. In the playoffs, his team was bounced in Round 1, but Janosik managed a pair of goals and a pair of helpers in four games played.

“He’s scored goals at every level he’s been at,” Harding said. “He’s an excellent skater and he has good touch around the net. He fits in well with all of the other quality 90, 91 and 92-born forwards we have. The Lewiston Maineiacs are going to be deep up front for at least three or four years now.”

In the team’s first season in Lewiston, the Maineiacs carried a pair of Slovakian players, Richard Stehlik and Vladislav Balaz. The following year, in former GM Clem Jodoin’s first season, the team carried two more Slovakians, goalie Jaroslav Halak and defenseman Michal Korenko. Halak left after one season, but Korenko stuck for two more. Countryman Jakub Bundil came in in 2005, and he, too, stuck for three seasons.

Last year, with Korenko’s departure, the team drafted 18-year-old defenseman Denis Reul, who will return this year for his second and final season in Lewiston as a 19-year-old.

Now, Janosik looks to join the proud history of Slovakian players to make his way onto the ice in Lewiston.

“We were looking for a good, young goal-scorer,” Harding said. “This fit all of the criteria.”

If there is one knock on Janosik, it’s his weight.

“Obviously he has to put on a little bit,” Harding said. “I think once he gets a year under his belt he’ll be up to 185 anyway, and he’ll likely grow another inch or two.”

With all of the drafting done, the next major event for Maineiacs’ faithful is the start of training camp on Aug. 29.

But Harding said he may not be done with his summer shopping, hinting at some potential free agent invitations to camp. Asked if he had anyone in particular in mind, Harding responded emphatically, “Yes, we do.”

Then, asked if he could divulge a few names, he replied, “No, not at all.”