Connor Bedard was the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 Draft in Nashville, but that didn’t stop the youngster from being nervous, as seen on the Emmy-winning show Welcome to the NHL.
This exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary will air in Canada on July 22 (7 p.m. ET; Sportsnet One) and in French on TVA Sports at a later date. It chronicles the excitement and anxiety experienced by the NHL’s top prospects.
READ ALSO: Bedard signs rookie contract with the Blackhawks | A productive first season for Bedard in Chicago?
“There is obviously nervousness, like for all the others, admits Bedard. But having the honor of being the first player drafted would be special, so we’ll see what happens. »
Unsurprisingly, Bedard was drafted first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round on June 28. Chicago earned the top pick to get their hands on this generational talent by winning the draft lottery on May 8.
There hadn’t been this much lottery excitement since 2015, when the Edmonton Oilers hit the jackpot by getting the first pick to get their hands on Connor McDavid, who is now the best player on the planet.
Many believe Bedard has similar potential to McDavid.
“When I saw our logo on the first overall pick card, honestly, I can’t remember what I thought,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson recalled. “I lost consciousness for a moment. It’s a big day for the Blackhawks. »
The 2023 vintage has been considered one of the most talented for years. Bedard had 143 points (71 goals, 72 assists) in 57 games with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League. The centre, who turned 18 on Monday, also led Canada to gold at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in seven games.
“Bedard already looks like the elite center that will be the foundation of a team,” said NHL.com assistant managing editor Adam Kimelman. “What you notice when you look at this vintage is that the level of talent of the top players – starting with Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli – is much higher than previous vintages. »
Welcome to the NHL also shows hopefuls when they were put to the test with interviews and physical tests at the 2023 NHL judging session, which took place June 4-10 in Buffalo.
After Bedard was selected and made his way onto the Bridgestone Arena stage to meet with the Blackhawks executives, the tension escalated among the other prospects, who waited to see where they would end up.
Fantilli, 18, who led the NCAA with 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists) in 36 games for the University of Michigan last season, is seen with several friends and family in Nashville. He paid tribute to those who made him one of the best hopes of the vintage by wearing a tailor-made suit in which were inscribed the names of 167 people who influenced his life.
“We’re a pretty energetic group,” said Fantilli, before being drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in third place. “Hopefully when I’m chosen they’ll be loud, and I’m already looking forward to seeing them again afterwards.” It will be a big Italian repechage party. »
The show also features forwards William Smith (fourth overall; San Jose Sharks), Oliver Moore (19th, Blackhawks) and Carey Terrance (59th, Anaheim Ducks), defenseman Oliver Bonk (22nd, Philadelphia Flyers), and goaltender Jacob Fowler (69th, Montreal Canadiens).
Bonk is the son of forward Radek Bonk, drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the first round (third overall) in 1994 and who played 14 seasons in the NHL. The 2023 draft was held 29 years to the day after Bonk was selected and in the city where he concluded his NHL career. A nice coincidence.
“I learn from my mistakes and I try to help him,” says Radek Bonk about his son. “I don’t have all the answers, but I’m doing my best as a father and as a former hockey player as well. This is where the real work begins. Getting drafted is great, but that’s the easy part. »
A total of 224 players have been selected in the 2023 draft, and Welcome to the NHL documents the years of hard work and effort that have brought them to this moment.
“I think it will be considered a big draft,” said Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. “The repechage is a day of hope. In Chicago and Philadelphia, there is hope, just like in many other cities, and that is the essence of the draft. »
2023-07-21 20:38:37
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