Projected No. 1 pick Wright: Getting chosen by Montreal would be 'unbelievable'

Shane Wright, the projected No. 1 overall pick, is oozing confidence ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft.

"I think that based off all my work, this past year and into my past as well, I think I deserve to be the first overall pick," Wright said, per TSN. "I deserve to have that honor. I believe that I am the best player in this draft, and I believe that I should be taken first overall."

The Montreal Canadiens won the draft lottery Tuesday night and own the top pick. The NHL will host the draft in Montreal on July 7.

Wright has long been projected to go atop the draft after being granted exceptional-player status in the OHL as a 15-year-old for the 2019-20 season. The 18-year-old said he's happy with the lottery's outcome and would love to hear his name called by the Canadiens.

"Montreal would be an unbelievable place to go to if I'm lucky enough to be selected," Wright said. "I'm definitely super happy with how the results turned out."

He added: "I think it would just be extra special. First of all, a dream come true just being drafted, and then to (possibly) be drafted first overall by a franchise in that city as well, in such an unbelievable city, with that sort of fan base and the history around that organization. It would be pretty incredible and a lifelong dream come true."

Wright put up 94 points in 63 games with the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs this past season.

Logan Cooley and Juraj Slafkovsky are expected to round out the top three of the draft. Both players' stocks have rapidly risen over the past few months.