2017 Draft: Nolan Patrick out for playoff opener

Projected No. 1 pick won't play for Brandon because of lower-body injury

By Mike G. Morreale

@mikemorrealeNHL NHL.com Senior Draft Writer

March 24, 2017

Center Nolan Patrick, who could be the first player selected in the 2017 NHL Draft, has a lower-body injury and will miss Game 1 of Brandon's Western Hockey League Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at Medicine Hat on Friday.
General manager Grant Armstrong said via email that Patrick is considered day to day.

Patrick (6-foot-3, 198 pounds), No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters, missed 35 games earlier this season because of an upper-body injury. He had 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists) in 28 games after returning to the lineup Jan. 13. The lower-body injury is not related to the injury he sustained earlier this season. For the season he had 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists) in 33 games.
Brandon plays Game 2 at Medicine Hat on Saturday. Games 3 and 4 will be in Brandon on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Patrick tied for the WHL playoff scoring lead in 2016 with 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 21 games. He was named postseason MVP and helped Brandon win the WHL title.