Blackhawks win 2023 NHL Draft Lottery, can select Bedard

The Chicago Blackhawks have won the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery, giving them the first-overall pick and the chance to select consensus top prospect Connor Bedard.

Going into the event, Chicago had a 11.5-per-cent chance at winning the lottery and receiving the first pick after posting a 26-49-7 record this season and finishing in third-last place overall.

Bedard put up outstanding numbers for the WHL’s Regina Pats, scoring 71 goals and recording 72 assists in his 57 appearances during the 2022-23 campaign.

The Anaheim Ducks will receive the second pick, while the Columbus Blue Jackets will get the opportunity to select third.

Nashville will host Round 1 of the draft on June 28 and Rounds 2-7 on June 29

Here’s how the whole lottery panned out:

16. Calgary Flames

15. Nashville Predators

14. Pittsburgh Penguins

13. Buffalo Sabres

12. Ottawa Senators (pick goes to Arizona Coyotes)

11. Vancouver Canucks

10. St. Louis Blues

9. Detroit Red Wings

8. Washington Capitals

7. Philadelphia Flyers

6. Arizona Coyotes

5. Montreal Canadiens

4. San Jose Sharks

3. Columbus Blue Jackets

2. Anaheim Ducks

1. Chicago Blackhawks