for those of you asking if i will write for connor bedard, the answer is yes. however, i will not write for him until he turns 18 and is no longer a minor!
The first round of the 2023 NHL entry draft has just concluded, and to no one's surprise: Connor Bedard goes first overall to Chicago. Five out of the next 31 picks are WHL players, and four out of five of them are in the top half of the round.
This past season, the WHL has had a lot of eyes on it, partially due to Connor Bedard's exceptional performance during the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championships. A lot of people turned to the WHL to watch Bedard and in the process, found other great players that may have been otherwise overlooked.
While watching Bedard, scouts see other players, and how they may fit into improving their team.
I'm so happy to see that the WHL had such a large presence in the first round of this year's draft, and I'm hoping that it continues into the next rounds.