Nolan Patrick, a Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary and Middle School alumni, was drafted by a NHL team this past weekend.

The Philadelphia Flyers selected Nolan Patrick with the second overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Patrick is the highest drafted Winnipeg-born player since Jonathan Toews was drafted in 2006 by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Patrick also attended WMEMS as a kid and the principal, David Stoesz, was very excited to see him selected.

"Well it's pretty neat," Stoesz said. "Not only have I known him as a teacher and principal, but I live in St. James so every hockey fan was probably watching the TV screen on [Friday]."

Stoesz said it's interesting to see all that potential in elementary and middle school kids and he loves watching it play out in their lives. "You're involved in developing potential," Stoesz said. "Every once and a while, because there is a gap after grade eight, you see them again and that's really exciting when you run into them."

As for the question of whether Flyers jerseys would be replacing Winnipeg Jets jersey's in their schools, Stoesz laughed. "That's going to be interesting," he said. "I'll just say, in that regard, I'm glad it's the Flyers."

Circle November 16 on your calendar. That's the day the Flyers will arrive in town with their newest NHL star.