Blackhawks select phenom Bedard No. 1 overall at 2023 NHL Draft

(Nashville, TN) -- The next generation of top hockey talent donned their pro-team's sweaters during the NHL Entry Draft at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Wednesday night.

The Chicago Blackhawks wasted no time in selecting Connor Bedard first overall. He's considered the NHL's most exciting prospect since Connor McDavid entered the league in 2015. The Anaheim Ducks followed up by selecting center Leo Carlsson out of Sweden at pick No. 2 while the Columbus Blue Jackets drafted center Adam Fantilli from the University of Michigan with the third pick. Six of the top 10 selections were centers, which was the most drafted since 2017.

Rounds two-through-seven take place on Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. on NHL Network