Saginaw selects Red Wings' prospect Mursak

The Saginaw Spirit took part in the CHL Import Draft yesterday, drafting Jan Mursak and Tomas Zaborsky. The Spirit had two first-round picks, getting one from a previous trade with the Sudbury Wolves.

Mursak was drafted with the 33rd pick. The 1988-born right wing from Maribor, Slovenia was recently selected 182nd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The Red Wings connection is a particularly strong one for Mid-Michigan's own hockey team.

"We are thrilled to have a player drafted by the Red Wings here in Saginaw," said Spirit Vice President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin. "The Red Wings are a world-class organization and this will further strengthen the already strong relationship between our two teams."

Zaborsky was selected with the 36th pick. The 1986-born left wing is a native of Trencin, Slovakia, and was selected by the New York Rangers 137th overall in last Saturday's NHL draft. Zaborsky appeared in 49 games for Trencin of the Slovakian Junior League, tallying 49 goals and 27 assists for 76 points and just 20 penalty minutes.

Should Zaborsky report, he will be one of Saginaw's three overage players.

CHL and OHL rules allow each team to have two active European players on their roster.

Photo illustration courtesy of SaginawSpirit.com.