For the first time in Vancouver Giants history, the Russians are coming. Well, a Russian is coming – and a Slovak too.

With the 51st pick in the 2008 CHL Import Draft the Giants selected Mikhail Fisenko, a 6’ 180 lb 18-year-old forward who played for Moscow Dynamo in the Russian second division last season and was a member of the Russian squad for the ADT Challenge. Fisenko will be the first Russian player to suit up for the Giants in their eight year history.

"Mikhail is a player who is bringing a valuable amount of experience to our organization", says Giants General Manager Scott Bonner. "We look forward to having him come into our line-up and make an immediate impact this season."

Seven selections later the Giants added Andrej Kudrna, another 6’ 180 lb forward, out of the Slovakian under-20 league. In the 2006-07 season Kudrna scored 56 points in 55 games and finished with a +39 rating while playing for the under-18 team. Born in 1991, Kudrna will qualify as a 17-year-old this season so he could play a total of four seasons in Giants colors.

"Andrej is a player we are looking forward to having in our line-up the next couple of years," adds Bonner. "We have had some good success with players from Slovakia in the past and we hope Andrej can carry on that tradition."

The Giants needed to fill both of their European player cards following the graduation of Mario Bliznak and the expected assignment of Michal Repik to the American Hockey League next season – provided he does not earn a roster spot with the Florida Panthers.

Both players are represented by J.P. Barry and will be draft-eligible next June. For more information on these two players join the discussion in the Vancouver Giants forum.