Centres Koblar and Hopkins are first two Leaf picks at NHL draft
The Maple Leafs waited a long time for their first pick at the NHL draft, then went a long way to find him.
Welcome to Toronto Tinus Luc Koblar, a wispy 6-foot-3 centre of Norwegian-Slovenian descent, who played for Leksands juniors in the Swedish league. He was ranked 56th among international skaters by Central Scouting and had eight goals and 21 points in 43 games last season.
The Leafs picked 56th overall on Saturday at the end of the second round, having traded their first-rounder to Chicago and holding Florida's selection. They last went for a Norwegian-born player in 2010, Sondre Olden, another tall kid, who also played in Sweden and though he came to camp in North America, he never made the NHL.
In the third round, 86th overall, Toronto looked closer to home with Tyler Hopkins, a 6-foot-1 centre with the Kingston Frontenacs. The Campbellville native amassed 51 points in 67 games with five assists in 11 playoff appearances.
Koblar had not warranted a lot of ice time this year in Leksands, in part because of his age (17). He's the second Leksands player Toronto has taken in as many years after Victor Johansson at 120th last season behind first rounder Ben Danford.
Koblar has seen a lot of action for the Norwegian junior team in international competition. The Leafs last went for a Norwegian born player in 2010, forward Sondre Olden, another tall kid, who also played in Sweden and though he came to camp in North America, he never made the NHL. Koblar was not at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles when league deputy commissioner Bill Daly read his name, though he spoke to the Leaf management team back in Toronto.It's expected he'll attend the Leafs development camp next week in Toronto.
Lhornby@postmedia.com
X: @sunhornby
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