Nate Danielson chasing NHL dream thanks to personal goals
Editor’s note: The Detroit Red Wings selected C Nate Danielson with the No. 9 pick in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft on June 28.
BRANDON, Manitoba (BVM) 鈥� The future of the NHL will be given their shining moment in a few weeks in Nashville, Tennessee, at the 2023 NHL Draft. One of the more coveted prospects in this year鈥檚 class is Brandon Wheat Kings鈥� center Nate Danielson.
The 18-year-old is arguably the best two-way forward in the draft. has him being selected with the No. 7 overall pick by the Philadelphia Flyers.
He put up 78 points in 68 games this past season for Brandon and always brings an outstanding effort defensively. Danielson is relentless on the ice with his motor, a trait that he has had ever since he was a kid.
The first of Nate Danielson's two goals, scores on a breakaway off a nice neutral zone pass by Jack Beck ().
Danielson is a candidate for next year's top 15, been really good in this game
— Brandon Holmes (@BHolmes_Hockey)
Danielson grew up seeing his older brother Noah play the game, and he always knew it was something he wanted to do.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 sort of how I got into it,鈥� Nate said. 鈥淛ust seeing him do it, that鈥檚 what got me skating.鈥�
Once he got on the ice, there was no turning back.聽
His father would put both him and his brother through drills that maybe at the time seemed tough, but looking back, they stand out as some of his favorite hockey memories.
https://twitter.com/HockeyDynamic/status/1264595093253525504
The accumulation of all the drills put him on the path to succeed early on, being selected by the Wheat Kings with the fifth pick of the 2019 WHL Draft as a 14-year-old. He would debut for the team in the 2020-21 season, playing 24 games.
He has cemented his hockey future over the past couple of seasons with Brandon, scoring 135 points over the course of 121 games. This made him a legitimate top NHL prospect.
Nate Danielson with an interception, skates to the doorstep, draws the goaltender over and then shoots after spotting an open lane. Second goal of the season for Nate.
— Josh Tessler (@JoshTessler_)
鈥淲hen I started to take off, I realized that it was something I could do,鈥� Danielson said.聽
He contributed to the Wheat Kings not only with his play but with his leadership. Danielson was named captain prior to this past season, becoming the 67th in the history of the club.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a pretty historic franchise and they鈥檝e had tons of great captains,鈥� Danielson said. 鈥淭o have your name up there with them is pretty cool.鈥�
Danielson entered the season knowing it was a big year for him personally being draft-eligible, but this is something he has worked his whole life for. He saw this season more so as an opportunity rather than any type of pressure.
Nate Danielson gets on the board, partner.馃 |
— The WHL (@TheWHL)
鈥淚 don鈥檛 really feel any outside pressure,鈥� Danielson said. 鈥淚 have goals and expectations of myself and that is sort of what drives me.鈥�
One goal of Danielson鈥檚 was to become an NHL draft pick which will happen before the end of the month.聽
Now the expectation he has set for himself is to contribute next season for Brandon or for a professional team while getting an opportunity to help Team Canada at the World Junior Tournament in December. Then, a long, successful career at the NHL level.
鈥溾�業鈥檓 just trying to chase a goal and a dream.”
