Bradly Nadeau can forever call himself a first-round pick.
The Penticton Vees forward was selected 30th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes Wednesday night, June 28, during the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, Tenn.
“He brings it every night,” said Don Waddell, the Hurricanes general manager. “He’s got tremendous work ethic and great skill…we’ve got to have good players, but we want good people and he certainly checked all the boxes.”
Nadeau is the first Vees player to be taken in the first round since Tyson Jost and Dante Fabbro were selected in 2016 by the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators, respectively.
Nothing like a chat with the boss to calm the nerves 😅 pic.twitter.com/8KvLlvYHQZ
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) June 29, 2023
The forward led the BCHL in scoring in 2022-2023 with 113 points and was voted the league’s Most Valuable Player.
He spent the last two seasons with the Vees, suiting up alongside his brother Josh Nadeau.
“I wanted the exposure [of playing in the BCHL] during my two years of junior hockey, so that’s why I ended up going there,” Nadeau said. “Playing two years with [my brother] in Penticton and having him here while I’m going through this process is amazing. Hopefully, he’ll be able to get drafted as well.”
Bradly woke up like this 😏 pic.twitter.com/euaOw9LURE
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) June 29, 2023
Carolina was one of the two teams Wednesday to use their first-round pick on a BCHL product.
The Victoria Grizzlies’ Matthew Wood was selected 15th overall by the Predators.
Brad is rad 🤘 pic.twitter.com/gpYEaoskLu
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) June 29, 2023
READ MORE: Chicago Blackhawks select Connor Bedard 1st overall at NHL draft
@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com