Connor Bedard highlights field as 2023 NHL Draft heads to Nashville

Connor Bedard is far and away the No. 1 prospect for the 2023 NHL Draft, which begins on June 28 with the 1st Round at 7 ET on ESPN and then rounds 2-7 on June 29 at 11 AM ET on ESPN+.

Connor Bedard finished his 2022-23 regular season with the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Regina Pats where he recorded 71 goals, 72 assists for 143 points.

He led all major junior hockey players in goals, points and points per game. He had 10 games during the regular season where he registered at least 5 points and had a total of five games where he had 0 points.

Assuming Bedard does go 1st overall, his 71 goals this season for Regina would be the most by a No. 1 overall pick in their draft-eligible season since Eric Lindros scored 71 for the Oshawa Generals in 1990-91 before he went 1st overall in 1991 to the Quebec Nordiques (and famously never played for them before getting dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers).

There have been five No. 1 overall picks who put up 70 goals and 140 points in their draft eligible season and 4 are in the Hockey Hall of Fame: Lindros, Mario Lemieux, Dale Hawerchuk and Guy Lafleur.

Bedard will be the first No. 1 overall pick from the WHL since Ryan Nugent-Hopkins went to the Edmonton Oilers in 2011 and will be the 7th out of that league in the amateur draft era (since 193).

He is listed at 5’9 3/4” by Central Scouting, which would be among the shortest No. 1 overall picks alongside Jack Hughes (2019 to NJ), Patrick Kane (2007 to CHI), Dale McCourt (1977 to DET), Michel Plasse (1968 to MTL) and Claude Gauthier (1964 to DET).

More than likely, Bedard will be going to the Chicago Blackhawks, who are picking first for the second time in the amateur draft era (since 1963) and first time since taking Patrick Kane in 2007.

Kane went on to win 3 Stanley Cup titles, the Hart Trophy as league MVP, the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer in 2015-16, a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2013 and the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2007-08.

The Blackhawks have 9 of the top 100 picks, something four teams since 1980 have had all-time and none since the Florida Panthers in 2010 drafted 10 of the top-100 prospects. The others are 1990 Flyers (9), 1981 North Stars (9) and 1980 Blackhawks (10).

More on this and other NHL news on Shemon and Sheppard 2-6pm.

Michael Vick is 43 years old today. Vick has been out of the NFL for some time but as I'm writing this, I'm reminded that Tom Brady is about to be 46! Wow, that puts things in perspective. Or does it? Anyway, Michael Vick was one of the most amazing athletes to ever play quarterback. He had lightning speed as a runner. He also possessed a rocket left arm and became a decent passer by the end of his career.

Vick stole our attention during his career at Virginia Tech and exploded onto the scene in the NFL. However, his career was interrupted due to his involvement in an illegal dog-fighting ring and spent time in a federal prison. When he returned to the NFL, the Eagles were the only team to take a chance and sign him. I actually think those were his best days in the league and it makes one pause to think what would have been had he not had his career interrupted.

Today, we will do Michael Vick trivia during Wiki-Pete-ia on the Shemon and Sheppard Show on ESPN Southwest Florida. We play everyday at 4:45ish. Be caller number nine at 239-337-3776 or 239-337-ESPN and play to win. If you can't get through on the phones then play at home or at work and impress your family and friends with the questions and answers below. Good luck!

-Craig Shemon
ESPN Southwest Florida