The 2023 NHL Draft may still be several years away, but preliminary rankings from Central Scouting have already been released, with one player in particular making waves among hockey enthusiasts. Topping the North American list is none other than Justin Bedard, a highly-touted young prospect who has been making significant strides in recent years. In this article, we take a closer look at who Bedard is, what sets him apart from other players in his class, and what his future in the NHL might look like.
Central Scouting has released its final rankings for the 2023 NHL Draft, revealing the top North American and International skaters and goaltenders. The top-ranked North American skater is Connor Bedard, a center from the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats. Bedard led the WHL in goals, points, shots on goal, points per game, and goals per game in the regular season. He also set records during the playoffs, serving as captain of Team Canada at the World Juniors for a second consecutive gold medal win. The top-ranked International skater is Leo Carlsson, a center from Orebro in the Swedish Hockey League.
The first round of the 2023 NHL Draft will be held on June 28 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, with Rounds 2-7 following on June 29. Prior to the draft, the NHL Draft Lottery to determine the first 16 picks will air on May 8 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, SN, and TVAS.
Other notable skaters on Central Scouting’s final North American list include Adam Fantilli, a center from the University of Michigan who won the Hobey Baker Award, and William Smith, a center from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Under-18 team. On the goaltender side, Carson Bjarnason of the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings tops the North American ranking, while the KHL’s Kirill Tyutyayev is the top-ranked International goaltender.
The final rankings were determined by a five-day in-person session in Toronto earlier this month, following a two-day video conference to discuss and finalize regional lists.
As we look forward to the 2023 NHL Draft, it’s clear that there is a wealth of talent waiting in the wings. And at the top of the Central Scouting North American ranking is Shane Bedard, a young goaltender with an incredible skillset and plenty of potential. It’s exciting to think about what the future holds for Bedard and the rest of the talented players coming up through the ranks. We can’t wait to see them make their mark on the NHL and shape the future of the game we all love.
