Minnesota Wild select Riley Heidt with No. 64 overall pick in 2023 NHL Draft

The Minnesota Wild have selected forward Riley Heidt with the No. 64 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

The Canadian spent his season in the Western Hockey League with the Prince George Cougars, with 25 goals, 72 assists, and 97 points in 68 regular season games, along with two goals, six assists, and eight points in nine playoff games as the Cougars were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Seattle Thunderbirds, the eventual WHL champions.

Heidt also represented Canada at the Men’s U18 World Championship tournament, where he had two assists in five games, where they finished second in Group A and beat Slovakia for the bronze medal.

Daily Faceoff’s own prospect expert Steven Ellis projected Heidt to go 23rd overall in his mock draft of the 2023 NHL Draft, Heidt was selected 64th. Ellis had this to say about him in his prospect rankings:

“One of the best point producers in the WHL, Heidt was a huge part of Prince George’s resurgence this year. I know scouts were hoping to see him remain a consistent producer throughout the year – no issues there. It’s his play away from the puck that some are more concerned about. Count me in as a believer, though.”

Heidt is the second selection by the Wild in the second round of the 2023 draft, also selecting Rasmus Kumpulainen with the No. 53 pick earlier in the round. Barring any trades, the Wild will make their next pick in the fifth-round with the No. 149 overall selection.

The Wild finished with a 46-25-11 record in the 2022-23 season, giving them 103 points that was good enough for third in the Central Division and 11th in the league.