NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING 2017 DRAFT PREVIEW
Patrick Leads Four Manitobans in First Round of
Central Scouting’ s 2017 Draft List
There are NHL scouts who watch the Western Hockey League and most of them had agreed on one thing long ago: The 2017 NHL draft is going to be the Nolan Patrick Draft. The Brandon Wheat Kings big, gifted centreman from Winnipeg has been injured most of this season, but when he’ s played, he’ s usually been the best player on the ice. In June, don’ t be surprised to hear Nolan Patrick’ s name first overall.
By Johnston Hall Photos by Jeff Miller, Rik Fedyck and Bruce Fedyck
NOLAN PATRICK
BRANDON, MB.-- Despite a season marred by a long-term injury, Winnipegger Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings is still the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’ s No. 1 choice among North American skaters.
NHL Central Scouting released its mid-season draft rankings on Wednesday. As always, the list is split up into four categories: skaters playing in North America, skaters playing in Europe, goalies playing in North America and goalies playing in Europe. Patrick, the favourite to be selected first overall at the 2017 NHL Draft, retained his spot atop the North American rankings despite missing all but 11 games due to injury this season. However, in those 11 games with the Wheat Kings, Patrick has eight goals and 17 points. The Wheaties’ centre, who is in his third season in the WHL, is 6-foot-3, 215 pounds. He scored 41 goals and 102 points in 72 games last season in Brandon to help lead the Wheat Kings to the WHL championship. He was named WHL playoff MVP.“ It’ s Patrick’ s spot to lose at this point,” one NHL head scout told TSN,“ but this is a much different draft class than the last two.” Meanwhile, in an incredible move, Winnipeg’ s Cody Glass of the Portland Winter Hawks moved from a C rating in August to an A rating in November and also jumped from 20th in November to 90 GAME ON 2016- 17 ROSTER DEADLINE EDITION