A closer look at Canadian content from Nashville – from Connor Bedard to Tyler Peddle
After another successful NHL Draft, one thing remains clear – no country
develops hockey players quite like Canada.
In total, more than one-third of the players who had their names called in
Nashville – 87 of 224 – hail from north of the 49th parallel. (That
includes players who were born outside the country but are products of the
Canadian hockey system, like No. 37 pick Ethan Gauthier.)
The list features representation from 10 Members, and 33 who have worn the
Maple Leaf in international competition.
The red-and-white run started from the top, with two-time IIHF World
Championship gold medallist Connor Bedard going No. 1 to the Chicago
Blackhawks. The North Vancouver, B.C., native is just the second player
from Canada’s westernmost province to be taken with the first pick, joining
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2012).
CONNOR BEDARD IS A CHICAGO BLACKHAWK pic.twitter.com/7mZD3btVSM
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 28, 2023
Bedard rewrote the World Juniors record book, setting all-time records for goals (17) and points (36) by a Canadian.
Adam Fantilli followed quickly behind, going to the Columbus Blue Jackets
with the third pick. He had a historic 2022-23 season on the international
stage, becoming just the second Canadian – after Jonathan Toews (2007) – to
win gold at the IIHF World Championship and IIHF World Junior Championship
in the same…
