Connor Bedard officially becomes a Regina Pat on Wednesday morning when the team takes him with the first overall selection in the WHL Bantam Draft, but he is already signed, sealed and delivered.
On Tuesday, the Pats announced they have signed the Vancouver product to a WHL Standard Player Agreement.
He comes to Regina after scoring 43 goals and 84 points in 36 games with the West Van Academy of the CSSHL which led that league in scoring. He was also named its MVP for a second straight season.
Picture: Regina Pats
General Manager John Paddock says the Pats will certainly have the eyes of the hockey world on them because of the 14-year-old who will turn 15 in July and they will see someone who has the total package. However, there is one thing that impresses Paddock the most about Bedard’s game.
“Nothing I don’t like,” Paddock said “If I was to pick one skill set though, he shoots the puck like no other 14-year-old in the world.”
As for Bedard, he feels he is a player that can play in both ends of the ice, but obviously his offensive game is a plus and he is ready for the challenge of playing against those that will be three, four and five years older.
“I’m a pretty good 200-foot centre, obviously best in the offensive end.” Bedard said. “I like to think I can produce but the next step is tough and I’m just going to play as hard as I can.”
The question now is what role will Bedard have when the 2020-21 season starts and how many minutes per game will he play and who will he play with. Those are questions that can’t be answered for a while, but head coach Dave Struch says he will be given every opportunity to show his stuff.
“He’s going to get lots of opportunity to have a lot of success and to make mistakes” Struch said. . With these young guys, no matter what age they are, they get chances to fail and learn from their failures. As excited as we are as an organization, we’re excited for Connor as well because he’s coming into a great situation.”
Bedard will be the first Pats player to wear the number 98 and the first Pats player to wear a number higher than the 77 that Adam Brooks proudly wore during his tenure with the team. Bedard says there is nothing really special about 98.
“When I was seven, I was asked what number I wanted in spring hockey. No one had that number in the NHL at that time and I thought it was pretty cool so I just went with it.” Bedard said.
Early scouting reports suggest the 5 foot 8, 165 pound Bedard could be the number one pick in the 2023 NHL draft.
He is the first player in the WHL to be given “exceptional player” status which allows him to play full-time in the league as a 15-year-old. The Ontario Hockey League has had five players granted status starting with John Tavares in 2005-06. Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Sean Day, and Shane Wright are the others while Detroit Red Wings draft pick Joe Veleno is the lone player from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
While Bedard will be the centre of attention at the bantam draft, the Pats will be stocking their cupboard with eight other selections. The team has two second-round picks, three fourth-round picks, along with selections in the fifth, ninth and tenth rounds.
