Photo: Timo Savela

With the 24th overall pick in the 2015 CHL Import Draft, Sarnia Sting General Manager, Nick Sinclair selected Finnish forward, Patrik Laine.

In 7 games at the 2015 U18 World Hockey Championships, the 6’04”, 209 lbs winger notched 8 goals and added 3 helpers for a total of 11 tournament points. His 8 goals were good for tops in the tournament, and his 11 points put him in a tie for 5th with Jack Roslovic.

Early reports project Laine to be a first-round selection in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Last season, the ’98-born skater split time between Taparra (Liiga) and Lempäälän Kisa (Metis) in Finland.

With the 84th overall pick in the draft, the Sting selected former captain, Nick Latta’s younger brother, Louis Latta. At 6’02”, 190 lbs, Louis spent the majority of the 2014-15 season with EC Peiting’s U19 squad. In 31 games played, Latta recorded 42 points, including 26 goals and 16 assists.

The ’98-born forward also played 35 games with the senior team, EC Peiting (Germany3) and registered 3 goals and 1 assist with the club.

General Manager, Nick Sinclair comments on today’s selections. “We’re very excited about both of our selections today. With Laine, he’s the type of player that we highly covet. He’s a big, strong power forward that competes and has proven that he’s a natural goal scorer. You could say the same with our second selection, Louis. This is a player that we’re familiar with, having his older brother in our system for four years. He’s a big kid that skates well, and we feel has a lot of upside. He’s an honest player that plays the game the right way.”