Canucks prospect Basile Sansonnens selected 31st overall in the CHL Import Draft

Being drafted is a privilege that most do not get to experience at any point in their lives. But how about twice in the same week?

 

It’s been quite the whirlwind for the newly drafted Vancouver Canucks’ prospect, Basile Sansonnens. Just days after being selected with one of the final five picks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the 17-year-old’s rights have been grabbed again, this time 31st overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Rimouski Océanic.

Sansonnens being selected over higher-touted prospects such as Igor Chernyshov (San Jose), Sebastian Soini (Minnesota Wild), Aron Kiviharju (Minnesota Wild), and Lucas Pettersson (Anaheim Ducks), who were all taken higher at the NHL draft, suggests there is a good chance he reports and begins his North American transition immediately.

And according to Canucks Insider, this appears to be the expectation.

However, there is one small catch to those plans. Sansonnens recently signed a new deal at the end of May with a Swiss National League team (Lausanne HC), locking him in until the 2027-28 campaign. As recently as yesterday, he indicated his plans to report and enjoy a much higher role in the Swiss NL league.

Today is a new day, however, that brings new opportunities. Being offered the opportunity to fast-track his North American transition could present a beneficial opportunity to grab his development by the horns.

However, it’s not uncommon for imports to refuse their transition. Jonathan Lekkerimäki, who the Vancouver Giants took 70th overall in the 2022 Import Draft, comes to mind.

The last Canucks prospect to be drafted and report to their import team was Swedish forward Vilmer Alriksson, taken 34th overall in the 2023 Import Draft by the Guelph Storm. Alriksson is now coming off a promising season with 33 points and now has a solid year of North American development under his belt.

Generally, however, the higher they are selected, the better the intel from the teams, and the higher the chance they report. Given Sansonnens’ high selection, the expectation is strong that he will make the move to North America.

From watching his name called in Vegas from his couch to reporting to his first NHL development camp, and now being selected by Rimouski, it’s been quite the week for this young defender.