The Swift Current Broncos selected a pair of Russian forwards in the 2025 CHL Import Draft on July 2.
“Both players are anxious and eager to get over here,” said Broncos General Manager Chad Leslie at a press conference to announce Dean DeSilva as the new head coach at the Elmwood Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
After making a few trades to move around in the draft, the Broncos eventually selected Stepan Kuryachenkov with the 59th pick. The 5’10’’ centre from Ufa had 27 goals, 29 assists, and 74 penalty minutes with Salavat Ufa U17 this season.
“Our first selection is a very skilful player, dynamic, competes,” said Leslie, who compared Kuryachenkov to former Medicine Hat Tigers forward Hayden Harsanyi.
The Broncos used the 122nd pick to grab 6’4’’ right wing Alexei Grebnev. The Moscow product had 14 goals and 31 assists in 30 games with SKA St. Petersburg U17 last season.
“He is also just a big-rig of a player, who shoots the puck extremely well, has really good individual skill and also very excited to come over here,” said Leslie. “The fact that they’re both Russian as well gives them some comfort in regards to having someone here that speaks the language… but I’m excited for what we’ve added here today.”
