2017 Draft: Nolan Patrick out with upper-body injury

Brandon center Nolan Patrick, a candidate to be the first pick of the 2017 NHL Draft, is day to day because of an upper-body injury, a team spokesman said Friday.
Patrick, an A-rated skater on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list, is out against Prince Albert at Westman Place in Brandon, Manitoba, on Friday. He will be re-evaluated Saturday, when Brandon is scheduled to play at Prince Albert.

In six games, Patrick, 18, is tied for the Brandon scoring lead with nine points (four goals, five assists).
Patrick had surgery in July to repair a sports hernia but returned in time to play in Brandon's season opener against Moose Jaw on Sept. 23, and had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime loss.
A 6-foot-3, 198-pound center, Patrick had 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 21 games to tie for the Western Hockey League playoff scoring lead last season and was named postseason MVP after helping Brandon win the league championship. During the regular season, his 102 points in 72 were fifth in the league, and his 41 goals were tied for eighth.
"Patrick is as complete an NHL package as you are going to find," Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr said. "From his pedigree, his skills and assets to his performance impact to date, he has everything any NHL team is looking for in a top prospect."