2017 Draft Profile: Nolan Patrick

NOLAN PATRICK
BRANDON, WHL
North American Skater

Final Rank: 1
Midterm Rank: 1
Position: Center - Shoots: Right
Height: 6'2" - Weight: 198
Born: September 19, 1998
Hometown: Winnipeg, Man. - Born in: Winnipeg, MB, CAN  

PROFILE

Patrick was named captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings prior to the 2016-17 season and averaged more than a point per game despite missing significant time due to injury (20-26—46 in 33 GP).

He was named MVP of the 2016 WHL Playoffs after helping Brandon win its first championship in 20 years, tying teammate Jayce Hawryluk (selected in the second round by FLA in 2014) for the league lead with 30 points (13-17—30 in 21 GP). In the 2015-16 regular season, Patrick finished tied for third in the WHL in assists (61) and fifth in points (102) in 72 games.

Patrick won the WHL Rookie of the Year in 2014-15 after averaging more than a point per game (30-26—56 in 55 GP) and pacing all rookies in goals.

His father, Steve Patrick, played 250 games with the Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques from 1980-86, while his uncle, James Patrick, skated in 1,280 games with the Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres.

Athletic bloodlines run even deeper in the Patrick family: Nolan’s mother, Carrie, played volleyball at the University of Winnipeg and was a member of the Canadian national team; his grandfather, Steve, played 13 seasons with the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers; his older sister, Madison, plays hockey with the University of British Columbia; and his younger sister, Aimee, plays minor bantam in Winnipeg.

Internationally, Patrick helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial and captained Canada Red at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

SCOUTING REPORT

Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr:

“He has more than proven over the last three years that he is the real deal and will be an impact NHL player. The poise, the presence, the attention to detail, the way he processes and executes plays — everything has been far more precise, far more accurate and a lot quicker this season."
GETTING TO KNOW NOLAN...

If I could "Carpool Karaoke" with any celebrity it would be: Steph Curry

TV show I recently binge-watched: Homeland

Celebrity that always makes me laugh: Will Ferrell

App I spend way too much time on: Instagram

At an all-you-can-eat buffet I go straight for the: Rice

Coolest person I've ever met: Tanner Kaspick

Athlete I admire most: Jordan Spieth

If I could be any superhero I would be: Spider-Man

I am inspired by: Parents

I am afraid of: Mice

I dream of: Stanley Cup Final

STATISTICS

SEASON

	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	G	A	P	PIM
2016-2017	BRANDON	WHL	33	20	26	46	36
2015-2016	BRANDON	WHL	72	41	61	102	41
2015-2016	CAN U18 (Ivan Hlinka Memorial 2015)	ITLTOUR	5	3	3	6	6
2014-2015	BRANDON	WHL	55	30	26	56	19
2014-2015	CANADA RED (2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge)	NATOUR	5	0	5	5	6

 

2017 Draft: Nolan Patrick tops midterm rankings

Center Nolan Patrick of Brandon in the Western Hockey League is No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft.

Central Scouting revealed its midterm rankings of the top North American and International skaters and goaltenders Wednesday. The 2017 draft will be held at United Center in Chicago on June 23-24.

View midterm rankings (PDFs): North American Skaters | North American Goalies | International Skaters | International Goalies

Patrick (6-foot-3, 198 pounds) had two goals and two assists in his return to the lineup Friday after missing 35 games because of an upper-body injury. In eight games he's scored six goals and 13 points.

"It definitely is a two-player field for the top [North America] ranking and Nolan Patrick was the frontrunner going into the season for the 2017 draft and remains the top candidate for NHL Central Scouting," Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr said. "It's unfortunate [Patrick] had to miss so much time but it was necessary for him to be able to return at 100 percent. He's been well known to NHL scouts for the past three years; his game continues to show he's a top prospect."

Last season, Patrick was fifth in the WHL with 102 points in 72 games. He then had 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 21 games to tie for the WHL playoff scoring lead and was named postseason MVP.

He is the son of former NHL forward Steve Patrick and nephew of former NHL defenseman James Patrick.

No. 2 on the list is center Nico Hischier (6-1, 175) of Halifax of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He leads QMJHL rookies with 30 goals, 30 assists and 60 points in 36 games. Playing for Switzerland at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, Hischier scored four goals and seven points, most among draft-eligible players.

"Hischier was also a known commodity coming into the season and we've been able to see the continued growth of his game and development as he transitioned into an impact player with Halifax," Marr said. "He also displayed his talents on the World Junior stage."

Rounding out the top five North American skaters is center Gabriel Vilardi (6-3, 201) of Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League; right wing Owen Tippett (6-1, 202) of Mississauga (OHL); and center Casey Mittelstadt (6-1, 201) of Eden Prairie (Minn.) High School.

Six of the top eight players on the North American list are centers. The highest-ranked defenseman is Juuso Valimaki (6-1, 204) of Tri-City (WHL) at No. 9. He's followed by No. 10 Cale Makar (5-11, 179) of Brooks in the Alberta Junior Hockey League; No. 11 Nicolas Hague (6-5, 206) of Mississauga (OHL) and No. 12 Callan Foote (6-3, 213) of Kelowna (WHL). 

"Valimaki and Makar are very dynamic and elite skilled defensemen who can play with speed, quickness and conviction," Marr said. "Hague and Foote are bigger defenders who can skate and move the puck well while impacting in all zones."

The No. 1 North American goaltender is Keith Petruzzelli (6-5, 180) of Muskegon in the United States Hockey League. Ian Scott (6-3, 174) of Prince Albert (WHL) and Jake Oettinger (6-4, 212) of Boston University (Hockey East) are Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.

Petruzzelli stopped all 21 shots he faced in 27:15 of ice time and was named MVP for Team East at the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Jan. 10. Committed to Quinnipiac University for 2017-18, he is 11-7-0 with a 2.71 goals-against average and .908 save percentage in 20 games.

"[Petruzzelli] uses his size effectively, is very calm and relaxed," Al Jensen of NHL Central Scouting said. "He has shown steady improvement and has turned into an excellent NHL goalie prospect. His style resembles Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray."

The No. 1 skater on the International list is center Klim Kostin (6-3, 196) of Dynamo Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League. Kostin, 17, was a plus-1 while averaging 4:28 of ice time in eight games prior to sustaining a shoulder injury that is expected to keep him out for two months.

"[Kostin] is big, strong, mobile, and has a good understanding of the game," NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb said. "He had a somewhat difficult fall playing on different club and junior national teams but is so dynamic."

Rounding out the top five International skaters are center Elias Pettersson (6-1, 156) of Timra in Sweden's second division; center Lias Andersson (5-11, 198) of HV 71 (SWE); forward Kristian Vesalainen (6-3, 207) of Frolunda (SWE); and center Martin Necas (6-0, 167) of Brno (CZREP).

"Pettersson is close to Kostin in the International rankings," Stubb said. "[Pettersson] is having a great season in the Swedish minor league and getting a lot of useful experience playing with and against men. He's the leading scorer on Timra (27 points in 27 games). He's a great skater with very good offensive instincts."

The No. 1 International goaltender is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (6-4, 196) of HPK in Finland's junior league. 

"[Luukkonen] was key as an underage player for Finland at the [2016 IIHF World Under-18 Championship] in April," Stubb said. "He plays an effective butterfly style and does a good job of controlling rebounds."

At that tournament, Luukkonen played the final three games in place of starter Leevi Laakso (illness), and had a 2.00 GAA and .917 save percentage to help Finland win the gold medal.

- Mike G. Morereale/NHL.com Staff Writer