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Vancouver Giants import draft picks aim to play pro in Europe
The Vancouver Giants' top CHL Import Draft selections, Slovak defencemen Jakub Floris and Oliver Botka, are aiming to play professionally in Europe this season rather than report to the WHL club, though GM/coach Michael Dyck remains hopeful they'll join later. Both players have pro commitments in Finland and Slovakia, respectively, and the Giants are working to recruit them while managing roster changes.
The Vancouver Giants' two Slovak defencemen selected in this summer's CHL Import Draft are aiming to stay in Europe this season to play professionally rather than join the WHL club, general manager and coach Michael Dyck confirmed. Jakub Floris, 18, taken No. 9 overall, is trying to stick with Lukko of the Finnish league, while Oliver Botka, 17, selected at No. 70, plans to play with HK Nitra of the Slovakian league.
Dyck acknowledged that both players have committed to pro contracts and are starting their seasons early in September, giving them a chance to earn meaningful playing time overseas. "Both guys having committed to pro contracts have to go through the process and having discussions with the agency we knew that," Dyck said. "They're just starting their seasons early in September and they're going to give it their best shot to play pro. But if they're not playing meaningful minutes they're going to come and play for us."
The Giants haven't given up on bringing the pair to Vancouver, with Dyck expressing optimism about their eventual arrival. "Knowing they're trying to play in some pretty competitive leagues at a young age, we're going to have a chance to have these guys sooner than later," he said.
Prospect profiles and development
Floris, a fourth-round pick by the Nashville Predators in June's NHL draft, split last season between Lukko's Under-18 and Under-20 teams. He is 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds. Lukko had two 18-year-olds get into 40 games last season, suggesting a pathway for young players. Botka, standing 6-foot-2 and 171 pounds, is eligible for next summer's NHL draft and boosted his stock with a strong showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton in August. He spent most of last season with Nitra's Under-20 team; Nitra's pro team had a 17-year-old who played 44 games, indicating similar opportunities.
Dyck said the Giants will continue to try to recruit both players, and the team's connections to their agency, The Sports Corporation, could help. The Edmonton-based agency, headed by Gerry Johansson and Scott Bonner—the former Giants general manager—also represents forward Tobias Tomik, who is set to play his second season in Vancouver. Past Vancouver European players including goaltender Marek Schwarz, defenceman Andrej Meszaros, winger Michal Repik and centre Mario Bliznak were all Sports Corporation clients. Johansson also represents ex-Giants like Vancouver Canucks winger Brendan Gallagher and Colorado Avalanche defenceman Brett Kulak. The strong ties to Johansson and Bonner "certainly boosts Vancouver's bid" at getting the pair into Giants colours, as reported by The Province, and the import draft selection order is routinely based on connections as much as player talent.
Roster changes and defence corps
The Giants have seen significant turnover on their blue line. In April, Ryan Lin, 18, confirmed he was leaving to play for the University of Denver, and Will Sharpe, 19, jumped to the NCAA ranks with St. Cloud State University last month. Last season's import trio included Czech winger Adam Titlbach and Czech defenceman Jan Skok alongside Tomik. Titlbach, 20, is playing pro in Czechia this season, while Skok, 19, parted ways with the team after seeing largely third-pairing minutes and is set to play pro in Italy.
To bolster the defence, Vancouver acquired overage players in trades: Rhys Pederson from the Edmonton Oil Kings for a 2027 sixth-round pick, and Derek Thurston from the Saskatoon Blades for a conditional 2027 eighth-rounder. Pederson, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound left shot who turns 20 next month, has 183 regular season games with 4 goals, 26 points and 133 penalty minutes. Thurston, 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, has 131 games with 10 goals, 22 points and 162 penalty minutes, though he was limited to 23 games last season due to illness.
Other defence options include Kaleb Hartmann, 19, who came over from the Seattle Thunderbirds at the January trade deadline in a swap involving winger Cameron Schmidt; Lance McCloskey, 18, who played 60 games as a rookie last season; Braydon Riggall, 18, who appeared in 46 games as a rookie; and 16-year-old Crosby Mateychuk, Vancouver's first-round pick (13th overall) in the 2025 WHL Draft.
Season outlook
The Giants open training camp this week, with their first pre-season game scheduled for Sept. 4 against the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Everett tournament. The regular season begins Sept. 19, when they host the Kelowna Rockets at the Langley Events Centre. WHL teams are permitted to have three European players on their active roster, and Tomik, 18, who had 12 goals and 28 points in 61 games last season, is set to return for his second season with the club.
Dyck's comments suggest the Giants are prepared to wait for Floris and Botka, but the team's roster moves indicate they are also building depth to compete regardless of when—or if—the Slovak pair arrives.
How each outlet told it
The Province
Framing: Focuses on the imports' aim to play pro in Europe, with a subheadline indicating that Dyck hasn't ruled out them joining later. Excludes the phrase 'yet to report' and 'trying hand' from the other source. — Measured, with a balanced outlook; uses quotes that convey hope and pragmatism: 'we’re going to have a chance to have these guys sooner than later.'
Facts Included:
The two Slovak defencemen selected in the CHL Import Draft are aiming to stay in Europe to play pro rather than come to the WHL club, per GM/coach Michael Dyck.
Dyck says the Giants will continue to try to recruit Jakub Floris, 18, and Oliver Botka, 17.
Floris was taken at No. 9 overall; Botka at No. 70.
Floris is trying to stick with Lukko of the Finnish league; he was a fourth-round pick by the Nashville Predators in June's NHL draft.
Botka is eligible for next summer's draft and helped his NHL stock at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton in August; he plans to play with HK Nitra.
In April, Ryan Lin left to play for University of Denver; Will Sharpe jumped to St. Cloud State University last month.
Vancouver opens training camp this week; first pre-season game Sept. 4 vs Seattle Thunderbirds; regular season begins Sept. 19 hosting Kelowna Rockets.
Floris and Botka are represented by The Sports Corporation (Gerry Johansson and Scott Bonner, former Giants GM).
Past Vancouver euros who were Sports Corporation clients: Marek Schwarz, Andrej Meszaros, Michal Repik, Mario Bliznak. Johansson represents Brendan Gallagher and Brett Kulak.
The strong ties to Johansson and Bonner boosts Vancouver's bid; import draft selection is based on connections as much as talent.
Quotes from Dyck: 'Both guys having committed to pro contracts... if they're not playing meaningful minutes they're going to come and play for us' and 'Knowing they're trying to play in some pretty competitive leagues at a young age, we're going to have a chance to have these guys sooner than later.'
Floris split last season between Lukko's U18 and U20 teams; Lukko had two 18-year-olds get into 40 games. Botka spent most last season with Nitra's U20; their pro team had a 17-year-old that played 44 games.
WHL teams are permitted to have three euros on active roster; Tobias Tomik, 18, is set to play his second season, with 12 goals and 28 points in 61 games last season. He is also a Sports Corporation client.
Czech winger Adam Titlbach and Czech defenceman Jan Skok made up Vancouver's import trio last season. Titlbach, 20, is playing pro in Czechia; Skok, 19, parted ways and is set to play pro in Italy.
Vancouver acquired overage defencemen in trade: Rhys Pederson from Edmonton Oil Kings for a 2027 sixth-round pick, and Derek Thurston from Saskatoon Blades for a conditional 2027 eighth rounder.
Pederson: 6-foot-5, 205-pound left shot, turns 20 next month, 183 regular season games, 4 goals, 26 points, 133 PIM.
Thurston: 6-foot-1, 195-pound left shot, 131 regular season games, 10 goals, 22 points, 162 PIM, limited to 23 games last season due to illness.
Framing: Highlights that the imports have yet to report and are trying pro in Europe first, emphasizing the delay and uncertainty. Leaves out that Dyck hasn't ruled out them joining later. — Measured and matter-of-fact, but with a hint of optimism via quotes: 'we’re going to have a chance to have these guys sooner than later.'
Facts Included:
The two Slovak defencemen selected in the CHL Import Draft are aiming to stay in Europe to play pro rather than come to the WHL club, per GM/coach Michael Dyck.
Dyck says the Giants will continue to try to recruit Jakub Floris, 18, and Oliver Botka, 17.
Floris was taken at No. 9 overall; Botka at No. 70.
Floris is trying to stick with Lukko of the Finnish league and was a fourth-round pick by the Nashville Predators in June's NHL draft.
Botka is eligible for next summer's draft and helped his NHL stock at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton in August; he plans to play with HK Nitra.
In April, No. 1 defenceman Ryan Lin left to play for University of Denver; Will Sharpe jumped to St. Cloud State University last month.
Vancouver opens training camp this week; first pre-season game Sept. 4 vs Seattle Thunderbirds; regular season begins Sept. 19 hosting Kelowna Rockets.
Floris and Botka are represented by The Sports Corporation (Gerry Johansson and Scott Bonner, former Giants GM).
Past Vancouver euros who were Sports Corporation clients: Marek Schwarz, Andrej Meszaros, Michal Repik, Mario Bliznak. Johansson represents Brendan Gallagher and Brett Kulak.
The strong ties to Johansson and Bonner boosts Vancouver's bid; import draft selection is based on connections as much as talent.
Quotes from Dyck: 'Both guys having committed to pro contracts... if they're not playing meaningful minutes they're going to come and play for us' and 'Knowing they're trying to play in some pretty competitive leagues at a young age, we're going to have a chance to have these guys sooner than later.'
Floris split last season between Lukko's U18 and U20 teams; Lukko had two 18-year-olds get into 40 games. Botka spent most last season with Nitra's U20; their pro team had a 17-year-old that played 44 games.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe two Slovak defencemen the Vancouver Giants selected in the CHL Import Draft are aiming to stay in Europe this season to play in the pro ranks rather than come to the WHL club, admits general manager/coach Michael Dyck.
ClaimFloris and Botka are both represented by The Sports Corporation, the Edmonton-based agency headed up by Gerry Johansson and Scott Bonner, the former Giants general manager.
ClaimPast Vancouver euros like goaltender Marek Schwarz, defenceman Andrej Meszaros, winger Michal Repik and centre Mario Bliznak were all Sports Corporation clients.
ClaimMichael Dyck said: 'Both guys having committed to pro contracts have to go through the process and having discussions with the agency we knew that. They're just starting their seasons early in September and they're going to give it their best shot to play pro. But if they're not playing meaningful minutes they're going to come and play for us.'
ClaimMichael Dyck said: 'Knowing they're trying to play in some pretty competitive leagues at a young age, we're going to have a chance to have these guys sooner than later.'
ClaimLance McCloskey, 18, got into 60 games last season as a rookie and played academy hockey in Anaheim for former Vancouver Canucks stalwart Kevin Bieksa prior to coming north.