Bedard leads Central Scouting's midterm 2023 NHL Draft rankings
Regina Pats phenom Connor Bedard unsurprisingly tops Central Scouting's midterm North American skater rankings leading up to the 2023 NHL Draft.
The latest lists for North American and international players were released Friday.
Here are the top 10 for each pool.
North American skaters| Rank | Player | Position | Team (League) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connor Bedard | C | Regina (WHL) |
| 2 | Adam Fantilli | C | Michigan (Big Ten) |
| 3 | William Smith | C | USA U-18 (NTDP) |
| 4 | Ryan Leonard | RW | USA U-18 (NTDP) |
| 5 | Brayden Yager | C | Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| 6 | Oliver Moore | C | USA U-18 (NTDP) |
| 7 | Zach Benson | LW | Winnipeg (WHL) |
| 8 | Matthew Wood | RW | UConn (H-East) |
| 9 | Samuel Honzek | LW | Vancouver (WHL) |
| 10 | Colby Barlow | LW | Owen Sound (OHL) |
Bedard dazzled at the 2023 World Junior Championship and was named MVP of the tournament after potting nine goals and 14 assists in seven games to help lead Canada to the gold medal.
He set various team records along the way, including most all-time goals and points by a Canadian at the world juniors.
Widely predicted to go first overall in a few months' time, Bedard leads the WHL this season with 70 points (31 goals, 39 assists) in just 29 games. The 17-year-old is currently riding a 28-game point streak.
International skaters| Rank | Player | Position | Team (League) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leo Carlsson | C | Orebro (Sweden) |
| 2 | Matvei Michkov | RW | Sochi (Russia) |
| 3 | Axel Sandin Pellikka | D | Skelleftea (Sweden) |
| 4 | Dalibor Dvorsky | C | AIK (Sweden-2) |
| 5 | Eduard Sale | LW | Brno (Czechia) |
| 6 | Otto Stenberg | C | Frolunda (Sweden-Jr) |
| 7 | Lenni Hameenaho | RW | Assat (Finland) |
| 8 | Mikhail Gulyayev | D | Omsk (Russia) |
| 9 | Kasper Halttunen | RW | HIFK (Finland) |
| 10 | David Reinbacher | D | Kloten (Switzerland) |
The 2023 NHL Draft will take place from June 28-29 in Nashville.
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