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The Avalanche selected center Conner Bleackley from the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League tonight with its first-round pick (No. 23 overall) in the NHL draft in Philadelphia.

I'll add comments from him and chief amateur scout Rick Pracey tonight as soon as they are available.

Bleackley, who is 6 feet and 197 pounds, had 29 goals, 39 assists and 48 penalty minutes in 71 games last season. Bleackley, who turns 18 on Wednesday, was Red Deer's captain this past season.

Bleackley was an assistant captain on Canada's bronze medal-winning team at the 2014 Under-18 World Championship. He is from High River, Alberta.

His favorite team is the Avalanche and his favorite player is Joe Sakic.

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