The Vancouver Giants released a first-round draft pick on Monday, sending Ales Kilnar home to the Czech Republic.
The 19-year-old import was selected 44th overall in the 2011 draft but was a healthy scratch in three of the first four regular season games. He has no points and was at minus-1.
Kilnar registered 28 goals and 51 points in just 39 games with HC Vitkovice last season in the Czech U20 league. The Vancouver hockey club singled him out as a potential top-six forward but Kilnar failed to make an impression in Vancouver.
Although Ales had a very good training camp for us, we felt that once the pre-season rolled along and the level of competition was raised, he wasnt able to provide what we expect of a 19-year-old import player, and we thought it was best for both parties to send him back home, said Giants general manager Scott Bonner in a news release.
The Giants forward line is without two 40-goal assets this season since Jordan Martinook and Brendan Gallagher moved into the development systems of their respective NHL clubs, the Phoenix Coyotes and Montreal Canadiens.
Vancouver (1-3) sits in last place in the B.C. division, eight points beghind the conference-leading Kamloops Blazers (5-0). The Giants travel to Kelowna Wednesday for a 7:05 p.m. game and host Medicine Hat Friday 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Coliseum.
