Since entering the Ontario Hockey League as an expansion franchise in 1995, the Barrie Colts have had plenty of talented players walk through the doors of Sadlon Arena (formerly Barrie Molson Centre), among them being several from Europe through the Canadian Hockey League’s Import Draft.
Many of the 41 players selected by the Barrie Colts in the CHL Import Draft have gone on to have plenty of success in their professional careers, whether that be in the National Hockey League, top leagues in Europe or on the international stage such as the IIHF World Championship and the Winter Olympics.
Today, we’re going to do a deep dive into where these 41 players are now, whether they’re active or retired, and see where their respective careers went after their time in the Ontario Hockey League with the Barrie Colts.
Barrie Colts Import Players
Jan Bulis (1995 – 2nd overall) – Retired.
As one of three expansion franchises across the CHL in 1995, the Barrie Colts were given the second overall pick in that year’s Import Draft and used it to select Czech forward Jan Bulis, who was coming off a strong season with the Kelowna Spartans of the BCJHL. The Pardubice native would go on to spend two seasons in Barrie before making the jump to the National Hockey League in 1997 with the Washington Capitals, who took him in the 2nd round the year prior. Bulis was eventually returned to the OHL by the Capitals later in the 1997-98 season where he would suit up for the Kingston Frontenacs, helping them to the second round where they lost to the London Knights.
Bulis would go on to spend parts of nine seasons in the National Hockey League with Washington Capitals, Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks, wrapping up his career in professional hockey in the KHL in 2015. He went on to represent the Czech Republic (now Czechia) at 2006 Winter Olympics & 2006 IIHF World Championship where he took home bronze and silver, respectively.
Alexander Volchkov (1995 – 44th overall) – Retired.
Barrie’s second-ever Import Draft selection was Russian forward Alexander Volchkov, who brought an offensive flair that the Colts needed for their first season in the OHL. Volchkov would go on to register an impressive 145 points in 103 games with the Colts and after his first season in Barrie, the Moscow native would be selected 4th overall by the Washington Capitals. Volchkov only appeared in 3 NHL games with the Capitals, spending the majority of his time in North America in the American Hockey League.
Volchkov, who’s dad played for the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series, returned to Europe in 2000, making stops in Russia’s first, second and third tiers, along with Belarus and Kazakhstan, officially hanging up the skates at the conclusion of the 2010-11 season.
Martin Skoula (1997 – 33rd overall) – Retired.
Due to the CHL’s rules that teams may only carry two imports on their rosters (which changed to three in 2025), the Barrie Colts skipped over their selections in 1996 and when the 1997 Import Draft rolled around, the club had their eyes on yet another Czech forward – Martin Skoula.
Skoula spent two seasons with the Colts, recording over 100 points during his time in Barrie, before moving on to the National Hockey League with the Colorado Avalanche, who selected him 17th overall in 1997. He appeared in 776 games across parts of ten seasons in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (now Anaheim Ducks), Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils before heading to the KHL in 2011. Ten years prior to leaving the NHL, Skoula became the first Barrie Colts import player to win the Stanley Cup, doing so as a member of the Colorado Avalanche.
The Litomerice native represented his nation at four IIHF World Championships, winning silver in 2006 and bronze in 2011, while also earning a roster spot at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
Denis Shvidki (1998 – 11th overall) – Retired.
Arguably Barrie’s greatest Import Draft selection, Shvidki went on to register a whopping 200 points in 122 regular season games, along with 20 points in 21 postseason contests, helping the Colts reach the 2000 Memorial Cup after being crowned OHL champions.
After his first year with the Colts, Shvidki was selected 12th overall by the Florida Panthers in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, spending parts of four seasons with them, putting up 25 points in 76 games before heading to Russia. Shvidki spent the majority of his career in Russian Superleague/KHL, Liiga and DEL.
Despite being born in Ukraine, Shvidki opted to represent Russia internationally after the fall of the Soviet Union. In three trips to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, Shvidki won gold once and silver twice.
Vladimir Chernenko (1999 – 25th overall) – Retired.
Chernenko was selected by the Colts in the 1999 CHL Import Draft, but his time in Barrie didn’t last too long. The Kyiv, Ukraine native appeared in just 19 games for the Colts, where he went point-less, before joining the Owen Sound Platers and the Sudbury Wolves.
After his lone season in North America, Chernenko returned to his home country of Ukraine where he essentially played the majority of his career with Sokil Kyiv, HK Kyiv, Sokil Kyiv-2, Kompanion Kyiv, Berkut Kyiv, HC Podol Kyiv and Levy L’viv. During the 2004-05 season, Chernenko decided to take on a new challenge and headed to England to suit up with the Hull Stingrays, making 23 appearances for the club.
Internationally, Chernenko represented Ukraine at two IIHF World Championship Division 1 tournaments, registering one assist and ten penalty minutes in eight games.
Jan Platil (2000 – 9th overall) – Retired.
The Kladno, Czechia native was a fan favourite during his three seasons with the Barrie Colts due to his physical play and the ability to chip in offensively from the back end. In 189 games with the club, Platil registered 122 points, good for seventh all-time among defensemen in Barrie Colts franchise history. During the 2017-18 season, Platil returned to Barrie to serve as an assistant coach.
Platil was selected in the seventh round pick of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators, never played in league. He spent three seasons in the American Hockey League with the Senators’ affiliate before returning to Europe where he made stops in Liiga, the KHL, Czech Extraliga, the DEL and Italy, among others. The 43-year-old most recently played in Czechia’s fifth tier during the 2022-23 season.
Internationally, Platil appeared in four games for Czechia at the 2007 IIHF World Championship, helping his nation reach the quarterfinals where they lost to the hosts and eventual bronze medalists, Russia.
Frantisek Bakrlik (2000 – 34th overall) – Retired.
Bakrlik was selected by the Colts with the 34th overall pick in 2000 and went on to play parts of two seasons in Barrie before being dealt to the Sarnia Sting during the 2001-02 season. After the 2001-02 campaign, Bakrlik returned to Czechia to suit up in their second tier before coming back to North America.
The Litvinov, Czechia native went undrafted in the NHL and played lower leagues in North America (SEHL & UHL) for parts of three seasons. After returning to Europe for a second time, Bakrlik spent time in Poland’s top division, Czechia’s second, third and fourth tiers, along with the EIHL, the latter of which he suited up for the Hull Stingrays, Coventry Blaze and Fife Flyers.
During the 2022-23 season, Bakrlik served as a player-coach for SK Draci Bilina in Czechia’s fourth tier before retiring from professional hockey.
Jakub Straus (2002 – 16th overall) – Retired.
Barrie’s lone pick of the 2002 CHL Import Draft, Straus would come over to North America immediately, however his time with the Colts was quite brief. After appearing in just two games for the Colts during 2002-03 season, Straus returned to Czechia to suit up in their top under-20 league with HC Havlickuv Brod U20 and HC Pardubice U20.
Straus would play part of one season of pro in Czech third tier in 2003-04, making just two playoff appearances for the club and according to his Elite Prospects profile, it looks to attempt to return in the Czech fourth tier during the 2007-08 campaign, but decided to retire.
Lukas Bolf (2003 – 27th overall) – Retired.
Bolf was Barrie’s first pick in the 2003 CHL Import Draft and went on to suit up 112 games for the Colts across two seasons, registering 51 points (eight goals, 43 assists) and 101 penalty minutes. Prior to joining the Colts, Bolf was selected in the sixth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, but would never play in their organization or professionally in North America.
After leaving Barrie in 2005, Bolf returned to Europe where he would go on to spend ten years playing in Czechia (winning a league championship once), Slovakia and Kazahkstan, the latter of which he won two league titles in.
The Vrchlabi native represented Czechia on a few occasions prior to turning pro, including at the 2005 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship where he had four assists in seven games, helping them win the bronze medal against the United States.
Georgi Ryazantsev (2003 – 63rd overall) – Retired.
Georgi Ryazantsev was selected 63rd overall by the Colts in 2003 and spent one year in Barrie, putting up 17 points in 38 games during the 2003-04 campaign before returning to home nation of Belarus, spending majority of his professional career in their leagues.
Ryazantsev suited up for seven different clubs during his time in Belarus, including a 19-game stint with Dynamo Minsk of the KHL during the 2008-09 season, scoring one goal. The Lipetsk, Russia native also made stops in the Russian third tier, VHL and made brief four-game stint in Kazakhstan in 2010-11 season.
The 40-year-old was hired as an assistant coach for Sobol Beryoza in Belarus in 2022 and after parts of four seasons in that role, he was named interim head coach on January 8th.
Michal Birner (2004 – 8th overall) – Retired.
The Czech winger was taken eighth overall by Barrie in 2004 , spending close to half a season with the Colts before he was traded to the Saginaw Spirit. Birner, a fourth round pick of the St. Louis Blues in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, spent parts of three seasons in the American Hockey League before returning to Europe.
Upon returning to Europe, Birner signed with Lahti Pelicans in Finland’s top division, Liiga, and also went on to play for TPS Turku & KalPa. Birner also made stops in Russia, Switzerland and his home nation of Czechia, finishing his professional career in Europe with 470 points in 718 games.
Birner represented Czechia at 2 IIHF World Championships, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey & 2018 Winter Olympics. Currently, the 40-year-old is serving as a Director with Bili Tygri Liberec in the Czech Extraliga.
Tomas Marcinko (2005 – 55th overall) – Active.
Marcinko was beloved by fans during his two seasons with the Barrie Colts and in his second year with the club, he became the franchise’s first, and so far only, European captain. After his first year with the Colts, Marcinko was taken in the fourth round pick of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders.
In 2012, Marcinko decided to head back to Europe, signing with HV71 in Sweden. The 37-year-old would then go on to spend time in Slovakia, Czechia and China (KHL) and to no one’s surprise, he’s still playing. After spending the previous eight years in Czechia, Marcinko returned to his home country last summer, signing a three-year deal with HC Slovan Bratislava and was named captain prior to the 2025-26 campaign.
The former Colt has also represented Slovakia on a number of occasions including the 2014, 2016 and 2017 IIHF World Championships, as well as the 2014 & 2018 Winter Olympics.
Jaroslav Kruzik (2007 – 50th overall) – Retired.
After not making any selections in the 2006 Import Draft, the Barrie Colts turned their attention to Czechia again and took defenseman Jaroslav Kruzik with the 50th overall pick. Kruzik would go on to appear in 51 games with the Barrie Colts – 50 during the 2007-08 season and one during the 2008-09 season, before being dealt to the Kingston Frontenacs, where he’d spend the next two years.
Kruzik returned to Czech junior league in 2010-11, spent following season in the Czech second tier & Slovak Extraliga before moving to England to play for the Telford Tigers of the EPIHL, serving as an alternate captain during the 2013-14 campaign. Following his second year with the Tigers, the Jihlava native announced his retirement from professional hockey.
Kirill Polozov (2008 – 52nd overall) – Active.
Polozov was selected by the Colts 52nd overall in 2008 but never played for Barrie or came over to North America at all, opting to remain in Russia where he went through their junior leagues and the VHL for a number of years. The 35-year-old also had a few stints in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa and Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Polozov also made stops in Kazakhstan and Romania’s top divisions.
The Ufa, Russia native most recently played for Ashdod Chiefs of the Israel Elite Hockey League during the 2025-26 season and has spent parts of the last five seasons in the IEHL. Polozov has represented Israel at two IIHF World Championships, D2A in 2024 & 2025, and will likely be on their roster again this spring, albeit in D2B tournament, which is set to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria starting on April 6th.
Alexander Burmistrov (2009 – 12th overall) – Active.
One of Barrie’s most successful Import Draft selections, Alexander Burmistrov was taken with the 12th overall pick in 2009 and made quite an impact during his lone season in Barrie. The Russian winger finished the regular season at above a point-per-game (65 pts in 62 games) and played a critical role in the playoffs, helping the Colts reach their first OHL Final since 2000, where they ultimately fell to the Windsor Spitfires.
Thanks to that solid season in Barrie, Burmistrov was selected eighth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2010 and became the team’s final first round pick before relocating to Winnipeg just one year later. The Kazan, Russia native went on to spend parts of six seasons in the National Hockey League with the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Arizona Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks before heading to KHL during 2017-18 campaign, where he’s been ever since. Most recently, Burmistrov has been suiting up for the Shanghai Dragons and registered two assists in 20 games this season.
Burmistrov also represented Russia on the international stage on a number of occasions including at at two IIHF World Championships, winning gold in 2014, followed by bronze in 2016.
Denis Gladkov (2009 – 70th overall) – Retired.
Gladkov was Barrie’s second pick in the 2006 CHL Import Draft and while he came over to North America for 2009-10 season, he never ended up playing for the Colts. That season, the Moscow, Russia native played two games for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the NAHL & 26 games for the Twin Cities Northern Lights in the MNJHL before hanging up the skates in 2010.
Petr Beranek (2010 – 11th overall) – Active.
Over a month after losing in the OHL Final, the Barrie Colts selected Czech winger Petr Beranek with the 11th overall pick. Beranek spent one season with the Colts, registering 26 points in 54 games before being traded to the Kingston Frontenacs in the summer of 2011.
After two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, Beranek returned to Czechia to begin his professional hockey career, suiting up for Orli Znojmo in EBEL. The 32-year-old has spent 13 of his 14 professional seasons playing various levels in Czechia and one in the Slovak Extraliga. He’s currently playing in Czechia’s third tier with HC Orli Znojmo where he’s serving as an alternate captain.
Mathias Niederberger (2011 – 25th overall) – Active.
Superb is one word that can be used to describe Mathias Niederberger’s time with the Barrie Colts as he’s not just the greatest Import goaltender they’ve ever had, you can make the case that he’s the best netminder in franchise history.
Niederberger was selected 25th overall by the Colts in 2011 and early on, he began to show signs that he had the potential to be great. In his first season with the Colts, the German netminder posted a 29-14-3 record with three shutouts, a 2.68 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. That same year, he went 5-0 with a 1.62 GAA to help Germany win promotion to the top division of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
The Dusseldorf native took his name to the next level during his final season in Barrie – 35-12-3, 2.34 GAA, .933 save percentage and four shutouts, helping the Colts reach the OHL Final for the second time in four years, where they’d fall to the London Knights as Bo Horvat scored the winning goal in Game 7 with 0.1 seconds remaining.
That summer, Niederberger signed with the Manchester Monarchs for 2013-14 season, and split time between AHL & ECHL before heading overseas to Germany where he’s been ever since. Niederberger has been named DEL Goaltender of the Year twice in his career and is a three-time DEL Champion, winning three-in-a-row as a member of Eisbaren Berlin & EHC Munchen.
During his career, Niederberger has represented Germany at seven IIHF World Championships and two Winter Olympics.
Samu Markkula (2012 – 45th overall) – Active.
With their lone pick in 2012, the Barrie Colts selected their first-ever Finnish player in the CHL Import Draft – Samu Markkula, who played five games the club during 2012-13 season before returning home.
After returning to Finland, Markkula re-joined JYP’s under-20 team, but also spent time in Liiga and the Finnish second division, Mestis. Throughout his career, the winger has spent time in Finland’s top two tiers – Liiga and Mestis, along with a season in France’s first division – Ligue Magnus and one game in HockeyEttan, Sweden’s third tier. This season, Markkula is suiting up for TUTO Hockey, registering 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 37 games, along with four points in four postseason contests.
Daniel Gibl (2013 – 47th overall) – Retired.
Following Mathias Niederberger’s departure from Barrie, the Colts turned to the CHL Import Draft for some help between the pipes and ended up selecting Slovak netminder Daniel Gibl with the 47th overall pick. Gibl spent two seasons with the Colts where he had an 18-19-1 record in 43 games, along with a 2.87 goals against average, a .905 save percentage and two shutouts. During his time with the Colts, Gibl was named to Slovakia’s roster for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, serving as their third goaltender and taking home a bronze medal.
The Ilava native returned to Europe in summer of 2015 to play in Slovakia’s first and second tiers, also appeared in 12 games for Visby/Roma in Sweden’s third tier. In his final season of professional hockey – 2018-19 – Gibl was the starting netminder for Slovak second division club, MHK Dubnica, picking up four shutouts in 31 games before retiring at the end of the year.
Adrian Kempe (2013 – 107th overall) – Active.
Without question the greatest import player never to play for the Colts after being drafted by them. With their second pick in 2013, the Barrie Colts selected current Los Angeles Kings star Adrian Kempe and despite efforts to get him to come to play in the OHL, he opted to remain in Sweden.
Kempe went on to be selected by Los Angeles with the 29th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and has gone on to suit up in over 700 games for the club over parts of ten seasons. In 701 games for the Kings, the Kramfors native has 461 points (220 G, 241 A) and is on pace for his fourth-career 30-goal campaign.
Internationally, Kempe has represented Sweden at four IIHF World Championships, winning gold in 2018 and bronze in 2024. Kempe was also named to Sweden’s rosters for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Winter Olympics, but the nation failed to medal at both events.
Rasmus Andersson (2014 – 37th overall) – Active.
Another one of Barrie’s greatest import players of all-time – Rasmus Andersson. Andersson spent two seasons with the Barrie Colts in 2014-15 & 2015-16, serving as an alternate captain during the latter. During his time with the Colts, Andersson recorded back-to-back 60+ point campaigns.
After his first season with the Colts, Andersson was selected in the second round by the Calgary Flames in 2015 and has gone on to play parts of ten NHL seasons with Calgary and the Vegas Golden Knights, who acquired him back in mid-January. In 608 games in the NHL, Andersson has tallied 269 points (60 goals, 209 assists), 346 penalty minutes and is a minus-19.
On the international stage, Andersson has represented Sweden at 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, was captain of their 2025 IIHF World Championship team, which took home a bronze medal, and appeared in two games at 2026 Winter Olympics in February.
Julius Nattinen (2015 – 51st overall) – Active.
In 2015, the Barrie Colts turned their attention to Finland for the second time in franchise history and selected Finnish forward Julius Nattinen with the 51st overall pick. Less than two weeks prior, Nattinen was selected in the second round pick of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks.
Nattinen spent one season with the Barrie Colts and had a solid year, registering 71 points (22 goals, 49 assists) in 52 games, along with eight points in 12 postseason games. That same season, Nattinen had the opportunity to represent Finland at his first IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship and helped them capture the gold medal. Following the 2015-16 season, Nattinen was traded to the Windsor Spitfires, who he ended up winning a Memorial Cup with in 2017.
After winning the Memorial Cup, Nattinen made the jump to professional hockey full-time, spending one season in Anaheim’s system before being placed on unconditional waivers to terminate his NHL contract in September 2018. Since returning to Europe, Nattinen has made stops in Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. The 29-year-old is currently playing for HC Ajoie in Switzerland National League, while serving as an alternate captain.
Alexei Lipanov (2016 – 44th overall) – Active.
With their first round pick in 2016, the Barrie Colts selected Russian forward Alexei Lipanov, but it would take a year before he made the jump to North America as he spent the ’16-17 season in the VHL and MHL and also served as Russia’s captain for the 2017 IIHF U18 World Championship, winning a bronze medal.
In 2017, Lipanov was drafted in the third round by the Tampa Bay Lightning and went on to sign his entry-level contract with the club before officially joining the Colts. Lipanov had 30 points in 35 games for Barrie before he was eventually traded to the Sudbury Wolves.
After four seasons in North America playing in the OHL, AHL and ECHL, Lipanov returned to Russia, playing primarily in the VHL, but also had a seven-game stint with Spartak Moscow of the KHL during the 2022-23 campaign. Lipanov is currently playing for HK Norilsk in the VHL, Russia’s equivalent of the AHL.
Tom Hedberg (2016 – 104th overall) – Active.
Barrie’s second pick in 2016 was Swedish defenseman Tom Hedberg, who had some experience in Sweden’s second tier, HockeAllsvenskan, before making the trip across the Atlantic to join the Colts. Hedberg spent one season with Barrie, registering 24 points (4 goals, 20 assists), before returning to Sweden.
Since his return to Europe, Hedberg has spent time in the Swedish Hockey League, HockeyAllsvenskan and Liiga. The Stockholm, Sweden native is currently playing for IF Troja-Ljungby in HockeyAllsvenskan, putting up 12 points in 44 regular season games. IF Troja-Ljungby fell to Vasteras in a relegation play-out series this week, meaning Hedberg and his club will be playing in Sweden’s third tier – HockeyEttan – next season.
Andrei Svechnikov (2017 – 1st overall) – Active.
The 2016-17 season was one that Barrie Colts fans put in the rearview mirror pretty quickly as they landed the first overall pick in both the OHL Priority Selection Draft, where they took Ryan Suzuki, as well as the CHL Import Draft, taking Russian winger Andrei Svechnikov.
Coming into the 2017-18 season, Svechnikov was touted as a top prospect for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and was competing with Rasmus Dahlin to be taken first overall. After registering an impressive 40-goal campaign during his only season with the Colts, Svechnikov was selected with second overall pick by the Carolina Hurricanes. Svechnikov is Currently in his eighth season with the Carolina Hurricanes, six of which he’s recorded at least 20 goals and is on pace to set a net career-high in points this year. The 26-year-old is under contract with the Hurricanes through the 2028-29 season at a cap hit of $7.75 million annually.
Maksim Zhukov (2018 – 48th overall) – Active.
After spending two seasons in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers, Russian goaltender Maksim Zhukov was selected 48th overall by the Barrie Colts in 2018. Zhukov served as Barrie’s backup, and third string at times, to start the 2018-19 season, going 8-10-0 in 19 games before returning to the Green Bay for the remainder of the year.
Zhukov spent one year in the ECHL with the Newfoundland Growlers, former affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but decided to head overseas to Czechia in 2020, where he’s been playing ever since. The Kaliningrad, Russia native is currently playing in Czechia’s second tier with HC Dukla Jihlava.
Matej Pekar (2018 – 108th overall) – Active.
In the second round in 2018, the Colts drafted Czech forward Matej Pekar, who was fresh off being selected in the fourth round by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Pekar was over a point-per-game player in 59 games with the Colts before he was traded to the Sudbury Wolves.
After parts of four seasons in the AHL & ECHL with the Rochester Americans, Cincinnati Cyclones and Hartford Wolf Pack, Pekar headed to Czechia to play in the top division with HC Litvinov during the 2024-25 campaign. This season, the 26-year-old has played for three different clubs – EHC Freiburg (DEL2), HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Extraliga), HC Dynamo Pardubice B (Czechia2).
Arturs Silovs (2019 – 11th overall) – Active.
The Barrie Colts used their first round pick in 2019 to select Latvian netminder Arturs Silovs, who became the first player or goaltender from the Baltic nation to suit up for the franchise. Silovs was drafted in the sixth round by the Vancouver Canucks a little over a week before being taken by Barrie.
Silovs spent one season with the Barrie Colts, which came during the 2019-20 campaign, which unfortunately came to a close early due to the coronavirus pandemic. During the OHL’s shutdown the following season, Silovs returned to Latvia, suiting up for HS Riga, HK Mogo, and also appeared in one AHL game for the Manitoba Moose.
The Riga native’s first full pro season in North America came in 2021-22, where he split time between the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks and ECHL’s Trois-Rivieres Lions. Silovs has 53 games of NHL experience under his belt with the Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins, and was traded to the latter in the summer of 2025.
Internationally, Silovs has represented Latvia on numerous occasions including two IIHF World Championships, winning bronze over the United States in 2023 and was named Tournament MVP. Silovs was also named to Latvia’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, appearing in three games for his nation, picking up a win over Leon Draisaitl and Team Germany.
JJ Peterka (2019 – 71st overall) – Active.
In the second round in 2019, the Colts selected German forward JJ Peterka, who was on the radar of many for the 2020 NHL Draft as a potential late-first or second round pick. Peterka decided not to come over to Barrie and remained in Germany’s top tier – DEL, a move that worked out well for him as he was ultimately taken in the second round by the Buffalo Sabres.
Peterka made the jump to North America for the 2021-22 campaign and has spent parts of five seasons in the National Hockey League with Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth, the latter of whom acquire him via trade last summer. In 311 NHL games, Peterka has tallied 192 points (89 goals, 103 assists).
Internationally, Peterka has represented Germany at three IIHF World Championships, as well as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
Stanislav Vrhel (2020 – 25th overall) – Active.
While the entire world might have been shutdown due to Covid-19, that didn’t stop sports leagues from conducting business off the ice and the CHL Import Draft still went ahead as planned. With their first pick, the Colts took Czecha centerman Stanislav Vrhel, who didn’t come over to North America due to the Ontario Hockey League not operating during the 2020-21 season.
Vrhel has spent his entire career in Europe in Finland (Liiga & Mestis), Czechia (Czechia2 & Czechia3) and Germany (Germany4). He’s currently playing for HC Banik Sokolov in Czechia2, registering five points (four goals, one assist), 22 penalty minutes and was a minus-nine in 34 games.
Alexander Palchik (2020 – 85th overall) – Retired or Inactive.
Barrie’s second 2020 CHL Import Draftee was Kazahk-born Belarusian forward Alexander Palchik, who also never played for the Colts due to the OHL’s shutdown. That season, Palchik remained in Belarus where he played for Yunost Minsk in their top division.
Palchik remain in Yunost Minsk’s system for the following two seasons and even represented Belarus in the division 1A tournament of the 2022 World Junior Hockey Championship, helping them to a first-place finish and they were supposed to be promoted to the top division for the 2023 tournament, but were eventually suspended by the IIHF for their involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The two-time Belarusian league champion made the trip to North America for the 2022-23 campaign, suiting up for the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL, registering ten points in 25 games, but hasn’t played since and it’s unclear if he’s just taking a break from hockey or if he’s retired, but it’s more likely the latter.
Artur Cholach (2021 – 3rd overall) – Active.
In 2021, the OHL returned to the ice and the Colts ended up using both of their CHL Import Draft picks that year. With their first pick, the Colts selected Vegas Golden Knights prospect Artur Cholach, who went on to spent two seasons in Barrie. The Lviv, Ukraine native was going to return for a third but opted to go to the USHL after it was unclear if he would have a roster spot in Barrie for the 2023-24 campaign.
After turning pro in 2024, Cholach has Has spent his time playing for Vegas’ AHL and ECHL affiliates in Henderson, Nevada and Stateline, Nevada, respectively. In 40 games with Tahoe this season, Cholach has 11 points (two goals, nine assists), along with two assists in seven games for Henderson.
Cholach has represented Ukraine on several occasions at the international level including at the World Juniors D1B tournament during the 2021-22 season and at qualifying tournaments for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Oskar Olausson (2021 – 118th overall) – Active.
In the second round in 2021, the Barrie Colts selected Swedish forward & Colorado Avalanche first round pick Oskar Olausson. The Stockholm native played 22 games with the Colts during the 2021-22 season, putting up 25 points, before being traded to the Oshawa Generals.
Olausson has spent the majority of his time since turning pro in the American Hockey League, but four NHL games under his belt with the Avalanche. The 23-year-old has already been traded twice in his career – July 2025 from Colorado to San Jose & October 2025 from San Jose to Minnesota. He’s spent the entire 2025-26 campaign with the AHL’s Iowa Wild, registering 27 points (ten goals, 17 assists) in 51 games.
Eduard Sale (2022 – 29th overall) – Active.
With Artur Cholach still around, the Colts only used one of their picks in the 2022 CHL Import Draft, selecting Czech forward Eduard Sale, who was projected to be a first round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Sale decided to stay in Czechia for the 2022-23 season and was selected in the first round, 20th overall, by the Seattle Kraken.
Sale made the jump to North America a few months later, but spent less than half a season with the Barrie Colts before he was traded to the Kitchener Rangers. After just one season in the OHL season, Sale joined Seattle’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he’s currently playing.
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (2023 – 49th overall) – Active.
Barrie made a bold move with their first pick in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, selecting Norwegian forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, who was a highly touted prospect for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Brandsegg-Nygard never suited up for the Barrie Colts and after a strong season in Sweden, where he played with Mora IK in HockeyAllsvenskan, he was selected with the 15th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings.
Brandsegg-Nygard made the jump to North America in the spring of 2025, joining the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins ahead of the Calder Cup Playoffs. This season, the Oslo native has spent the majority of his time with Grand Rapids, but has also appeared in 12 games for the Detroit Red Wings, picking up one assist.
The 20-year-old has represented Norway on numerous occasions including at three IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships (one top division appearance, two D1A tournaments), two IIHF World Championships and the final qualifying tournament for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Endo Meier (2023 – 109th overall) – Active.
In the second round, Barrie took Swiss forward Endo Meier with the 109th overall pick and he decided to sign with the Colts just weeks after being selected by the club. Meier came to Barrie ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, but found himself in the press box a handful of times, and only ended up playing four games for the Colts before returning to Switzerland to play in their junior league and their second tier – Swiss League (SL).
This season, Meier has spent the majority of his time playing in Switzerland’s second division, SL, with GC Kusnacht Lions, and has also made nine appearances with the ZSC Lions in National League, who he is signed with for the 2026-27 campaign.
Emil Hemming (2024 – 15th overall) – Active.
Emil Hemming was Barrie’s first pick in the 2024 CHL Import Draft and has been an offensive weapon in each of his two seasons with the Colts, especially this year, registering 26 goals and 63 points in 46 games.
Hemming was selected in the first round pick of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars and has already signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the club. The 19-year-old began the 2025-26 season in the American Hockey League with the Texas Stars, going point-less in five games before being returned to the Barrie Colts.
The Vaasa native has represented Finland at three IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, taking home silver at the 2025 tournament and serving as an alternate captain back in December/January.
Patrik Kerkola (2024 – 75th overall) – Active.
With their second pick in 2024, the Colts stuck with the Finnish theme as they selected netminder Patrik Kerkola 75th overall. There was some talk he would join the Colts prior to the 2024-25 season, but he decided to sign an extension in Finland with KalPa.
Kerkola has split the 2025-26 season between KalPa U20 (U20 SM-Sarja), KalPa (Liiga), IPK (Mestis) and Vaasan Sport (Liiga). The 18-year-old is ranked 15th among International Goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. If he happens to be drafted by an NHL club this summer, there could be a possibility he comes to Barrie for the 2026-27 and forms a tandem with Arvin Jaswal. However, that will also depend on if Barrie wants to bring back Ben Hrebik for his overage season.
Andrei Gudin (2025 – 47th overall) – Active.
Flash forward to last summer’s draft, where the Canadian Hockey League decided to make a change, allowing all of their clubs to now carry three import players on their roster as opposed to just two. The Barrie Colts went on the bit of the smaller side, taking 5’8″ Russian winger Andrei Gudin after an impressive 142-point campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets 16U AAA program.
Gudin signed his OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with Barrie a few weeks before training camp opened, but didn’t make the team’s opening night roster. Currently, Gudin suiting up for the Minnesota Wilderness of the NAHL, with 30 points (ten goals, 20 assists) in 39 games. The Yekaterinburg, Russia native should be at training camp with Barrie in late-August/early-September.
Adam Israilov (2025 – 108th overall) – Active.
That brings us to Adam Israilov, Barrie’s second rounder in 2025 and their most recent pick in the CHL Import Draft. Israilov played with Gudin in Russia during 2023-24 season, but hasn’t signed with Barrie yet.
This season, Israilov has been playing with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers, who selected him 23rd overall in their draft last summer. In 52 games this season with Omaha, the 17-year-old has 25 points (ten goals, 15 assists), 42 penalty minutes and is a minus-22. It’s a bit unclear if he’s in Barrie’s plans next season. I personally don’t expect him to sign, but you can never say never.
Import Players to play for Barrie, but weren’t drafted by the club:
- Michal Krupa (Traded to Barrie by North Bay during 1997-98 season, played four games for the Colts. Currently a European Scout for the Montreal Canadiens).
- Leonid Zhvachkin (Traded to Barrie by Guelph during 2002-03 season, played 31 games for the Colts. Ninth round pick of the New York Rangers in 2001).
- Jakub Petruzalek (Traded to Barrie by Ottawa before the 2004-05 season, played 24 games for the Colts. Ninth round pick of the New York Rangers in 2004).
- Simon Gronvaldt (Claimed off waivers by Barrie from Kitchener in August 2009, played 24 games for the Colts before being traded to Niagara).
- Ivan Telegin (Traded to Barrie by Saginaw before the 2011-12 season, played 46 regular season games & 13 playoff contests for Colts, registering 78 points. Fourth round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2010).
- David Ovsjannikov (Traded to Barrie by Saginaw during 2015-16 season, played 55 games across parts of two seasons with the Colts).
- Dimitry Sokolov (Traded to Barrie by Sudbury during 2017-18 season, played 29 regular season games for the Colts & 12 playoff contests, picking up 73 points).
- Kevin Niedenz (Traded to Barrie by Oshawa during 2021-22 season, played 26 games for the Colts. Currently plays in Germany’s top division – DEL).
- Gabriel Eliasson (Traded to Barrie by Niagara before the 2024-25 season, has appeared in 124 games across two seasons with the Colts. Second round pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2024).
Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images.
Note: All player statistics are as of 3pm ET on Friday, March 27th.