'Welcome to the NHL' looks at Bedard nerves as 2023 Draft nears

Show also documents Fantilli's gratitude, Bonk's relationship with father

Connor Bedard was the consensus No. 1 pick heading into the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, but it did not stop the young star from being nervous, as documented in the Emmy Award-winning "Welcome to the NHL."

The exclusive behind-the-scenes access show documenting the draft and lead-up to it premieres Friday in the United States (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+; 7 p.m. ET, NHLN). In Canada, the show will debut Saturday (7 p.m. ET, SN1).

The program chronicles the excitement and anxiety of being a top NHL draft prospect.

"There are some nerves, of course, just like everyone," Bedard said. "But to have the honor of being that first guy (selected) would be special, so we'll see what happens."

To little surprise, Bedard was picked No. 1 by the Chicago Blackhawks on June 28. Chicago won the right to select the generational talent by winning the NHL Draft Lottery on May 8.

There had not been as much anticipation surrounding the lottery drawing since 2015, when Connor McDavid was considered the top prospect. He was chosen No. 1 by the Edmonton Oilers at the 2015 NHL Draft and has developed into arguably the best player in the NHL.

Many believe Bedard has similar potential in the NHL.

"Seeing that No. 1 (card) flip over, honestly, I don't really recall what I was thinking, I just kind of blacked out a little bit," Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said. "It's a great day for the Blackhawks."

The 2023 Draft class was considered among the deepest in years, led by Bedard, who led the Western Hockey League with 143 points (71 goals, 72 assists) in 57 games for Regina. The center, who turned 18 on Monday, also led Canada to a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship with a tournament-best 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in seven games.

"Bedard already has that feel of an elite, foundational centerpiece player," NHL.com deputy managing editor Adam Kimelman said. "What you really see when you look at this draft class, the top players, starting with Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, just the skill level, it's unrivaled compared to previous draft classes."

"Welcome to the NHL" also shows the prospects going through interviews and physical testing at the 2023 NHL Scouting Combine, which was held June 4-10 in Buffalo.

Once Bedard was selected and made his way on stage at Bridgestone Arena to meet with the Blackhawks representatives, the tension mounted for the other prospects as they waited to see what their futures held.

Fantilli, who led the NCAA with 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists) in 36 games at the University of Michigan last season, is seen with the large contingent of friends and family that joined him in Nashville. He paid tribute to those who helped him become a top prospect with a custom suit, including the names of 167 influential people in his life on the back of his vest.

"We're a pretty high-energy group," Fantilli said prior to being selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the No. 3 choice. "Hopefully when the pick happens, they'll be pretty rowdy up there and I'm excited to see them all after. It'll be my big Italian draft party."

The show also features forwards William Smith (No. 4, San Jose Sharks), Oliver Moore (No. 19, Blackhawks) and Carey Terrance (No. 59, Anaheim Ducks), defenseman Oliver Bonk (No. 22, Philadelphia Flyers), and goalie Jacob Fowler (No. 69, Montreal Canadiens).

Bonk is the son of former NHL forward Radek Bonk, who was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the first round (No. 3) of the 1994 NHL Draft and played 14 seasons. The 2023 draft was held 29 years to the day Radek Bonk was selected and took place in the city where he concluded his NHL career.

"I learn from my mistakes and I try to help him," Radek Bonk said of his son. "I don't have all the answers, but I'm doing my best as a dad and as a hockey person too. This is where the hard work starts. Getting drafted is awesome, but that's the easiest part."

A total of 224 players were selected in the 2023 draft, and "Welcome to the NHL" helps document the years of hard work and dedication that brought the players to this point, and showed how they were able to share their big moment with friends and family. 

"I think this is going to be remembered as a great draft," Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said. "The draft is about hope. In Chicago they got hope, in Philadelphia they got hope and in a whole bunch of other cities they got hope, and that's what the draft is all about."