NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Detroit Red Wings selected center Nate Danielson at No. 9 in Wednesday’s opening round of the 2023 NHL draft.
Danielson is 6-2, 186 pounds and shoots right. He’s a highly skilled center with outstanding vision and the patience to wait until it’s the right moment to make the play. He led the Brandon Wheat Kings (Western Hockey League) with 78 points (33 goals, 45 assists) in 68 games. He’s versatile to the point he can play power play, penalty kill and be used in the last minute of tight games.
“It’s really special. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to get drafted. So to be a part of the Red Wings, I’m really excited,” Danielson said in an interview with ESPN right after he was picked.
The selection addresses the Wings’ need to shore up the center position in their farm system.
The evening’s event at Bridgestone Arena began predictably enough with Connor Bedard going first to the Chicago Blackhawks, Leo Carsslon went at second to the Anaheim Ducks, and Michigan’s Adam Fantilli went third to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Will Smith went fourth to the San Jose Sharks, and David Reinbacher went fifth to the Montreal Canadiens. Dmitriy Simashev went sixth to the Arizona Coyotes. Matvei Michkov went at seventh to the Philadelphia Flyers. Ryan Leonard went eight to the Washington Capitals.
This is Yzerman’s fifth draft in charge of the Wings. His prior first-round picks are: Defenseman Moritz Seider was the team’s top pick in 2019, followed by forward Lucas Raymond in 2020, defenseman Simon Edvinsson and goaltender Sebastian Cossa in 2021 and forward Marco Kasper in 2022.
Danielson said he’s patterned his game after Dylan Couzens and Nick Suzuki.
“I think my skating is one of the best part of my game,” Danielson said to ESPN. “I think I have a very well-rounded game. Defensively, very responsible and offensively, very creative and skilled there.”
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings select Nate Danielson with No. 9 pick in NHL draft
