It was no huge surprise that the Sudbury Wolves opted to go with a pair of blueliners as their selections in the 2025 CHL Import Draft on Wednesday.

If even one of Artem Gonchar (29th overall) or Lasse Boelius (90th overall) were to suit up with the team in 2025-2026, it would provide a nice boost to a "D" corps that has graduated overagers Nick DeAngelis and Donovan McCoy and has seen Henry Mews bolt for the Michigan Wolverines.

A 6'1" 160 pound rearguard, Gonchar is a native of Chelyabinsk (Russia) who turns 19 in October and was selected in the third round of the recent NHL Entry Draft (NY Rangers - 89th overall).

The nephew of former NHL star Sergei Gonchar racked up 25 points in 50 games with Magnitogorsk Stalnye Lisy last year and is described as a "lanky, playmaking defenceman" on the Dobber Prospects website.

Just 17 years of age, Lasse Boelius also saw his name appear on the NHL Draft board on Saturday, a second round choice (60th overall) of the Anaheim Ducks.

Suiting up for Finland in the 2025 IIHF World U18 Championships in Texas, the highly regarded skater registered six points in five games. Boelius spent the majority of the 2024-2025 campaign with Assat U20, racking up 19 points in 34 games.