Connor Bedard looks forward to his homecoming in front of family and friends at the 2023 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at the Langley Events Center on Wednesday (10pm ET; NHLN, TSN, RDS; Thurs. 4am ET).
Bedard, who was born and raised in North Vancouver, 45 minutes away, expects a large following to cheer his attacking prowess for Team Red.
“There will be a lot of people there,” Bedard said. “Some relatives I think. My sister of course, my parents and some buddies for sure. I should have a decent amount.”
Bedard spends most summers training at home and loves the spotlight on the game and hockey in the area.
“It’s great,” he said. “I think we’re all pretty excited. Me, Connor Lewis (Vancouver), Luca Cagnoni (Burnaby, British Columbia), Lukas Dragicevic (Richmond, British Columbia), Andrew Cristall (Vancouver), Zach Benson (Chilliwack, British Columbia -Colombia) … so many guys from this area invited to this game and of course the hockey is so great here.”
“I was fortunate to be local and grow up in these programs (North Vancouver Storm; West Van Academy) so to have the game here is very special.”
Western Hockey League’s Regina right-shooting center is ranked #1 on the NHL Central Scouting presented by BioSteel North American Halftime Ranking of Skaters and is one of 39 players participating in the annual Canada Hockey League show.
Since 1996, the event has featured 15 players who would go on to be the #1 pick in the NHL draft: Alexis Lafreniere (New York Rangers, 2020), Nico Hischier (New Jersey Devils, 2017), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers, 2015), Aaron Oakleaf (Florida Panthers, 2014), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche, 2013), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Oilers, 2011), Taylor Hall (Oilers, 2010), John Tavares (New York Islanders, 2009), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning, 2008), Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks, 2007), Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh Penguins, 2003), Rick Nash (Columbus Blue Jackets, 2002), Vincent Lecavalier (Lightning, 1998), Joe Thornton (Boston Bruins, 1997) und Chris Phillips (Ottawa Senators, 1996).
Bedard (5’7″, 155 lbs) has 81 points in 32 straight games
(39 goals, 42 assists) for Regina after failing to score a single point in the season opener on Sept. 23. Prince Albert forward Jeff Nelson had the longest scoring streak in the WHL in the 1990-91 season (56 games, 108 points). The longest streak by a Regina player is 47 games, shared by teammates Wally Schreiber (99 points) and Jock Callander (141 points) in the 1981-82 season.
In five games with Regina since his return from the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, Bedard has 17 points (12 goals, five assists). At the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, he was the tournament’s top forward and MVP with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) and helped Canada win their second straight gold medal.
[Ähnliches: Bedard, Carlsson führen Halbzeit-Rangliste von Central Scouting an]
Here’s a look at his season:
(WHL ranking in parentheses)
Games: 33
Tore-Assists-Punkte: 39 (1.) – 42 (1.) – 81 (1.)
Points per game: 2.45 (1st)
Victory goals: 8 (1st)
Powerplay points: 31 (2nd)
Outnumbered goals: 4 (tie for 3rd place)
Shots: 221 (1st)
Plus/Minus Rating: +26 (13th)
Penalty minutes: 40
Percentage of faces won: 52.2, 365 to 699