NY Islanders prospect taken first overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL

It’s not often a hockey player can say he was drafted twice in four days, but that’s exactly what happened to NY Islanders prospect Tomas Poletin as he was taken first overall by the Kelowna Rockets in today’s CHL Import Draft. 

Selected by the Isles in the fifth round (192nd overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Czech winger's rights are now owned by Kelowna if he decides to take the option of playing Canadian junior hockey.

Poletin goes first overall in CHL Import Draft

Each of the 60 teams in the CHL participates in the CHL Import Draft. All organizations are allotted two spots in their lineup for players with non-Canadian and non-American nationalities. Teams do not have to make a selection in the import draft, but the selection process goes in reverse standings order across all three leagues (QMJHL, OHL, WHL).

There are typically risks with these picks as players may elect to stay overseas, but with Kelowna selecting Poletin first overall, the assumption is they believe they'll be able to sign him before the start of the 2025-26 season.

Poletin, a native of Czechia, has honed his craft in Finland over the last two seasons, playing for Pelicans. The 6’1” winger tallied 20 points (13 G, 7 A) in 25 games in the U20 Finnish league last season, and made his Liiga debut, finishing pointless in 15 games playing a limited role.

Poletin and the Islanders will likely discuss what is best for the 18-year-old's development before making a decision, as he has two years of CHL eligibility remaining. Poletin is at the Islanders development camp at will participate in tonight's Blue and White scrimmage.

Jesse Nurmi, of Finland, a fourth-round pick of the Islanders in 2023, was selected by the London Knights of the OHL in last year's CHL Import Draft, winning an OHL Championship and Memorial Cup with the organization last season.