There’s no secret that Connor Bedard of the WHL’s Regina Pats is expected to be the top draft pick among North Americans, and possibly overall, in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
But Red Deer native Nate Danielson of the Brandon Wheat Kings isn’t that far behind.
Danielson has made a big impression on the score sheet and with his two-way abilities and is ranked the fourth top prospect among Western Hockey League players for 2023.
“It’s still a long ways away, half of this year and all of next, so I try not to think of it,” said Danielson, who was in Red Deer last week with the Wheat Kings. “I just try to focus on what’s going on now … that’s the big thing.”
Wheat Kings head coach Don MacGillivray likes everything he sees in his talented centre and understands why he’s receiving recognition.
“He’s going to be a high draft pick when his draft year comes about and he still has time to get better and keep growing,” MacGillivray said.
Danielson came up through the Red Deer Minor Hockey Association, playing two years with the Red Deer Rebels U15AAA squad, where he caught the eye of the Wheat Kings, who selected him fifth overall in 2019.
“They have a history of developing good players and when I went there when I was 15 I fell in love with everything,” he said. “The people are awesome and the organization as a whole is a great fit for me.”
Nate joined the Wheat Kings last season after playing five games with the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs where he scored six goals and four assists. The WHL season was delayed because of Covid, but once it got underway Nate played 24 games with the Wheat Kings, finishing with three goals and 12 helpers.
“It was a big learning year for me, just getting used to the league,” he said. “It’s a lot faster and stronger than I was used to but I adjusted well and towards the end of the year I had a lot more confidence and started hitting my stride.”
MacGillivray agreed.
“He took a big stride forward last season and in the final six games in the bubble he showed his leadership and his willingness to go into those tough areas and determination came to the forefront and showed he’s going to be an elite player.”
Even last year MacGillivray used Nate on the power play. This season he’s used in all situations.
“It’s nice when the coach trusts you to put you in any position … it gives you a lot of confidence.”
MacGillivray thinks nothing about using Nate at any time.
“He has a real good understanding of what is needed to play the game to be successful,” he said. “He’s coming into his own and you f0rget he’s only 17. He plays big minutes for us.
“Last year he quarterbacked the second power play unit, this year we use him on the first. We use him in the last minute of a period and the game … whenever we need him.”
Nate sees himself as a 200-foot player.
“I call myself a playmaker and scorer, but I take a lot of pride in being a 200-foot player and being able to play in any situation and in any position,” he said.
Nate is close to a point-a-game player with nine goals and 19 assists in 31 games. He picked up three assists in Brandon’s 4-1 victory over the Rebels last Friday. He could have scored, but unselfishly passed it to allow his teammate to score in the empty net.
He wasn’t worried about that, he just enjoyed playing at home.
“It’s my first full game here and it was nice to play in front of friends and family,” he said, adding that his family played a big role in his development.
“My dad and my brother (Noah, who plays with the Medicine Hat Tigers) played a big role for sure. I watched them since I was young and developed an understanding what the game was all about … developed a hockey IQ and it’s taken off since then.
“My family put a lot of long hours in for me and big props to them.”
Nate showed his offensive abilities with the U15AAA Rebels. He had nine goals and 17 assists in 36 games in his first season and notched 26 goal and 33 helpers in 29 games his second. He spent the next season with the Northern Alberta Extreme Prep program, scoring 26 goals and 34 assists in 27 games.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter and member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame who can be reached at danrode@shaw.ca