The top-ranked prospect for the 2017 NHL Draft is nearing his return.

Nolan Patrick, first in Future Considerations’ Fall ranking for the 2017 NHL Draft, is expected back in the Brandon Wheat Kings lineup in the next couple of weeks.

“He’s working at it every day,” Wheat Kings coach David Anning said. “He’s trying to get back into the lineup. As it stands right now it remains an unknown. Unfortunately I don’t have more information other than it remains day-to-day.”

Patrick has four goals and nine points in six games to start the season, but has not played since Oct. 11.

He has missed the past 15 games, and was forced to withdraw from representing Team WHL at the 2016 CIBC Canada Russia Series, because of an upper-body injury.

Patrick was named WHL rookie of the year in 2014-15, and had 41 goals and 102 points in 72 regular season games for Brandon in 2015-16. He added 13 goals and 30 points in 21 games en route to helping Brandon to the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions.

“I think we’re looking at the next couple of weeks and obviously the sooner the better we can have our captain and leader back in the lineup,” Anning said.

With files from Justin Froese