WINNIPEG, MB – Three (3) Manitoba-born players had their names called at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, Tennessee.

The NHL Draft is held annually after the completion of the NHL Playoffs and brings together the thirty-two (32) teams to select the rights of the best amateur hockey players who meet the draft eligibility requirements.

Carberry’s Carson Bjarnason (goaltender) was the first Manitoban to be selected at the 2023 NHL Draft, going to the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round (51st overall). Bjarnason posted a record of 21-19-15 with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings during the 2022 – 2023 season and also represented Team Canada at the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship in Switzerland, winning a bronze medal.

Winnipeg’s Jayden Perron (forward) was the second Manitoban to be selected, going in the third round (94th overall) to the Carolina Hurricanes. Perron registered 24 goals and 48 assists in 61 games for the USHL’s Chicago Steel during the 2022 – 2023 season. Perron will play for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks for the 2023 – 2024 season.

Sanford’s Carter Sotheran (defenceman) was the third Manitoban to be selected, going to the Philadelphia Flyers in the 5th round (135th overall). Sotheran registered four goals and 19 assists in 68 games for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks during the 2022 – 2023 season.

Manitobans drafted at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft:

Rnd	Overall	Pos.	First Name	Last Name	Hometown	NHL Team/Amateur Team
2	51	G	Carson	Bjarnason	Carberry	Philadelphia Flyers / Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
3	94	F	Jayden	Perron	Winnipeg	Carolina Hurricanes / Chicago Steel (USHL)
5	135	D	Carter	Sotheran	Sanford	Philadelphia Flyers / Portland Winterhawks (WHL)