When the Halifax Mooseheads open training camp in August, they expect Konrad Abeltshauser to be there.

The Mooseheads selected the 17-year-old defenceman from Bad Tolz of Germany's top junior league with the 28th pick in the Canadian Hockey League import draft on Tuesday.

"We talked to his agent before we selected him and he's excited to come to North America and play," said Mooseheads head coach and general manager Cam Russell. "He wants to be a hockey player and this is the best route for him."

The 6-foot-3, 196-pounder led all defenceman in scoring in Germany's junior league and tied for seventh overall in scoring with 16 goals and 28 assists for 44 points in 36 games.

Russell saw him play twice at the world under-18 championship in April and said Abeltshauser comes highly recommended by a number of his scouting connections in Europe.

"They didn't have a real strong team (at the world under-18), but he played well," Russell said. "Defensively very solid, moves the puck well, put up good numbers. He's an all-around defenseman, he's the right age. He fits the bill for the direction we're heading."

Russell isn't placing any expectations on Abeltshauser and said he'll have to come to training camp and earn his place in the lineup, just like everyone else scheduled to report.

"We're not giving positions on our team for free," he said. "He's a player we're excited to have coming to play in Halifax, but there are no guarantees."

Following is a look at Halifax's updated depth chart (keep in mind, there isn't much thought put to ordering).

FORWARDS
Tomas Knotek (19)
x-Yuri Cheremetiev (20)
Gabriel Desjardins (17)
Travis Randell (18)
Gerrad Grant (19)
Jessyko Bernard (18)
Brent Andrews (16)
x-Linden Bahm (20)
x-Eric Louis-Seize (20)
Charles Bety (19)
Alex Lemieux (17)
Ned O’Brien (19)
Guillaume Pelletier (18)
Matthew Boudreau (16)
Carl Gelinas (17)
Brett Bernard (17)
Kody Orr (17)
William Cloutier (18)
Andrew Smith (17)

DEFENCEMEN
Pascal Amyot (19)
x-Alexandre Brunet (20)
Garrett Clarke (17)
Alex MacDonald (18)
Konrad Abeltshauser (17)
Jamie Bishop (16)
x-Ben MacAskill (20)
Scott McDonald (19)
Trey Lewis (17)
Sawyer Hannay (17)
Steve Gillard (17)
Ryan Matheson (18)
Richard Greer (18)

GOALTENDERS
Mathieu Corbeil (18)
Joel Grondin (17)
Stefan Dumaresque (19)
Jeremie Forbes-Brisebois (19)
Kody Blois (18)

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Post to my facebook too

Why doesnt the coach leave the lineup that same if eveyone is healthy and they win a good game? why keep juggling lines? that hasnt helped all season so knock it off!

By Sir Hedley

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Dubois you are an idiot he nailed nate in the head! and he left his feet!and sawyer did not an extra push to o'brien he lost his balance and slammed into the boards!

By Sir Hedley

Re: Mooseheads 'didn't bring it' in loss to Titan

The did have luck for once and they served the win unlike what another person suggested they didnt suck they played disciplined hockey and for once the dubious duo of thomander and hamel din't give...

By Sir Hedley

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