ATLANTA - After focusing on defense on the first day of the NHL draft, the Atlanta Thrashers traded for a goaltender and then focused on adding front line help in the last six rounds of the draft Sunday.
The Thrashers traded next year's third-round pick to Carolina for a fourth-round pick used to draft 18-year-old left wing Chad Painchaud, who was a top rookie in the Ontario Hockey League with 42 points last year.
In another trade Sunday, the Thrashers acquired goalkeeper Adam Berkhoel from the Chicago Blackhawks for future considerations. Berkhoel had seven shutouts with the University of Denver last year.
With their fifth-round pick, the Thrashers selected another forward, 17-year-old Juraj Gracik. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound right wing scored 34 points in the Slovakian junior league last season.
The Thrashers selected goaltender Dan Turple, 19, in the sixth round. The Ontario native had a 2.78 goals-against average in the OHL last season.
Then came more front-line help with the last three picks: left wing Mikka Tuomainem, 18, of Finland; center Mitch Carefoot, 19, of Manitoba; and right wing Matthew Siddall, 19, of British Columbia. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Siddall will attend Northern Michigan University next fall.
On Saturday, the Thrashers traded Kurtis Foster to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for defenseman Niclas Havelid and drafted enforcer Boris Valabik with their first-round draft pick.
Tuesday
March 4th, 2025
5:25AM
