NHL Draft Lottery: Who is Nolan Patrick?
He’s likely to go first overall, but who is Nolan Patrick, and what’s the deal with him?
The New Jersey Devils recently won the first overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, jumping up from the fifth spot when the results were announced Saturday evening. The highest-rated prospect for this year is Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings, meaning he’s likely to be a Devil come June.
Patrick, 18, captained the Wheat Kings in the WHL this season, but injuries have made it a tough year for the youngster. He played just 33 games this season, missing over half of the regular season and all of the playoffs. Without their best player, Brandon was swept in the first round of the WHL playoffs by the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Despite the frustration of injury, Patrick still made good use of the ice time he did have. In 33 games, Patrick recorded 20 goals and 26 assists, for about 1.39 points per game. The strong performances in limited games secured his spot at the top of most scouts’ draft rankings for this year.
The 6’3″ center from Winnipeg is projected to be a first liner in the NHL in the near future. A smart player, Patrick is lauded by scouts for his ability to play at both ends of the ice. He’s been a prolific goalscorer in the WHL, but his decision-making and physical ability make him defensively responsible as well.
Ever since his junior career began, Patrick has been touted as a future No. 1 pick. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft, and won the Jim Piggott Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year in 2014-15.
Patrick led the Wheat Kings to a league championship and a Memorial Cup appearance last season, and was named WHL Playoff MVP for his 30-point performance.
Injuries have been a problem for Patrick over the past couple of years, with a sports hernia problem nagging him throughout the 2016 playoffs. The same issue kept him out of this year’s World Junior Championship, where he was slated to play for Canada.
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Having won the first overall pick, New Jersey has a difficult choice to make. Patrick seems to be the consensus No. 1, but Swiss speedster Nico Hischier also has a claim to that title after a breakout season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL.
Either way, the Devils have lucked out and will be drafting a very talented young player. The 2017 NHL Draft goes down on June 23 in Chicago.