The North Bay Battalion have picked an NHL first round draft choice with their pick in the CHL import draft.

His name is Filip Chytil  and he was chosen 21st overall by the New York Rangers.

He was ranked 11th before the draft in the NHL Central Scouting rankings among European skaters.

Chytil is 17 and he played last year in the Czech Republic where he notched 8 points in 38 games for a Czech Men’s team.

Director of Hockey Operations for the Battalion Stan Butler says there’s no guarantee Chytil will come to North Bay because he has lots of options.

He says he can play in the Czech Republic, the AHL or the OHL.

Butler says they’re aiming high by picking a first round NHL draft choice to come here.

He says he wants a player who can be a top line performer but there’s no guarantees.

Butler says if they’re successful they get a first line centre, but if they’re not, they haven’t changed their team.

Meantime, Butler says he was shocked that Battalion players, specifically Brady Lyle and Adam Thilander, weren’t chosen in the NHL draft.

He says Lyle was ranked inside the top 50 and Thilander was named to the Swedish World Junior camp, yet not good enough to be drafted in the 7 round NHL draft.

Filed under: Filip Chytil, North Bay Battalion