The 2023 NHL Entry Draft will usher in the next generation of hockey players to the pros. The first round goes down tonight in Nashville, Tennessee, and a few Manitobans hope to hear their name called.

Jayden Perron
Winnipeg

Perron is a right-winger who played his last two seasons in the USHL with the Chicago Steel. The 18-year-old was tied for fifth in league scoring last season with 72 points (24G, 48A) in 61 games and was tied for third with six game-winning-goals. Perron led the Steel in playoff scoring with six points in six games before they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals. 
Prospect Ranks: The Athletic - 29, The Hockey News - 33, NHL Central Scouting - 44 (North American skaters), Sportsnet - 53, Bob McKenzie - 58

Carson Bjarnason
Carberry

Bjarnason is the top goaltender prospect on many draft boards. He started 47 games for the Brandon Wheat Kings this season and had a 0.900 save percentage and a 3.08 goals-against-average. Bjarnason finished the regular season sixth in the WHL for minutes played and eighth in total saves. The 17-year-old was the starter for Team Canada at the Ice Hockey U18 World Championships and also represented his country last year at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Prospect Ranks: Bleacher Report - 31, NHL Central Scouting - 1 (North American goalies), The Hockey News - 37, Sportsnet - 37, Bob McKenzie - 59

Carter Sotheran
Sanford

Sotheran was a heavy contributor to one of the WHL's best teams during the regular season. The defenceman put up 23 points in 68 games to help the Portland Winterhawks finish third in the Western Conference standings. Sotheran added one assist in nine playoff games. Sotheran is projected by most to be selected on day two of the draft, but crazier things have happened.
Prospect Ranks: NHL Central Scouting - 71 (North American skaters)

Top-ranked prospects from Manitoban teams

Zach Benson
Winnipeg Ice

Benson finished the 2022-23 season as the WHL's third-highest scoring, putting up 98 points (36G, 62A). Benson helped guide the Ice all the way to the Western Hockey League Final, where they fell in five games to the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Langley, B.C product has been compared to Johnny Gaudreau by TSN's Craig Button and many believe his floor is a top-six forward.
Prospect Ranks: The Athletic - 6, NHL Central Scouting - 6 (North American skaters), The Hockey News - 8, Sportsnet - 8, Bob McKenzie - 9, Bleacher Report - 9

Nate Danielson
Brandon Wheat Kings

Danielson was the Brandon Wheat Kings' leading-scorer last season with 78 points (One of just two players with more than 50 points). This was the 18-year-old's second consecutive season averaging over a point-per-game for the Wheat Kings.
Prospect Ranks:  NHL Central Scouting - 7 (North American skaters), Bleacher Report - 10, Bob McKenzie - 16, Sportsnet - 19, The Athletic - 20, The Hockey News - 22

Round one of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft begins tonight at 6 p.m.

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