North Vancouver’s Connor Bedard drafted first overall by Chicago in NHL Draft
![](https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/wp-content/blogs.dir/sites/13/2023/06/28/Connor-Bedard-Draft-Blackhawks.png)
Posted June 28, 2023 6:43 pm.
Last Updated June 28, 2023 6:44 pm.
Not to anyone’s surprise, North Vancouver’s Connor Bedard was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Windy City has been waiting for you, Connor Bedard! ☝️#NHLDraft | @NHLBlackhawks pic.twitter.com/IL7NYqcLl8
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 28, 2023
Bedard — a self-proclaimed Vancouver Canucks fan — has long been the consensus first-overall pick and is being touted as a generational talent by scouts. His hockey journey began on the North Shore as a member of the West Vancouver Academy. In two seasons with the prep school, Bedard racked up 172 points in 66 games.
From there, he was drafted to the Regina Pats, where he finished his final season with 143 points in 57 games. He won a gold medal for Canada at this past year’s World Junior Hockey Championship, also winning MVP.
"I can't wait to get to work."
Connor Bedard joins @SNCaroline to describe the feelings from the moment of being drafted first overall. pic.twitter.com/UhBii9XXYe
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 28, 2023
The 2023 NHL Entry Draft is being held in Nashville, Tennessee, and can be watched live on Sportsnet.
With files from Greg Bowman and Sportsnet