SISSONS TO NASHVILLE; SEVERSON TO NEW JERSEY

Kelowna Rockets players Colton Sissons and Damon Severson were both selected in the second round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft Saturday in Pittsburgh while newly acquired centre Ryan Olsen as well as one of the team’s European import draft picks were also taken.

Sissons was chosen 50th overall by the Nashville Predators while Severson was selected 10 spots later at the 60th spot by the New Jersey Devils. Olsen was chosen in the sixth round by the Winnipeg Jets.

Watch Sissons interviewed by Predators TV here

Watch Damon Severson interviewed here

In Sissons, the Predators draft its second Kelowna Rockets player after taking Shea Weber in 2003. According to the www.predators.nhl.com, Nashville was hoping to get a chance at Sissons with its second round pick.

“During scouting meetings earlier this week, one Preds scout flatly said there would be several high-fives in the team suite after the draft if Sissons fell to Nashville in the second round,” said Preds blogger Jay Levin.

Severson, the 6-foot-2 blueliner was taken 10 picks later with the 60th overall selection by New Jersey. Olsen, who the Rockets acquired from Saskatoon for Shane McCoglan and Jessey Astles, was drafted in the 6th round by Winnipeg.

Along with the three current players drafted at this weekend’s NHL Entry Draft, one of the Rockets European import selections was also chosen.

Latvian star Zemgus Girgensons was drafted 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres.

The Rockets have the CHL rights to Girgensons after Kelowna selected him in the 2011 CHL import draft with the 45th overall selection.

Girgensons was the assistant captain for Team Latvia at the World Junior Hockey Championships last season.