The Portland Winterhawks selected Swiss forward Sven Bartschi on Tuesday with the seventh overall pick in the annual draft of European players.
A year ago, The Winterhawks drafted Nino Niederreiter with the No. 2 selection in the draft, which involves the teams from the three Canadian major junior hockey leagues. Niederreiter was the No. 5 pick in last week’s National Hockey League draft.
Bartschi, 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, is a skilled left wing player, Portland general manager and head coach Mike Johnston said. He turns 18 in October and is eligible for next year’s NHL draft.
Bartschi, is committed to be a Winterhawk next season, Johnston said.
More in Wednesday’s edition of The Columbian.