Connor Bedard is continuing to add to his hockey resume in his short but yet storied career.
On Thursday, Bedard was named the youngest captain in Regina Pats history. Cole Dubinksy, Braxton Whitehead, and Luke Bateman were named as the Pats alternate captains for the 2022-23 season.
Bedard replaces Barrett Jackman as the youngest captain for the Pats. Last season Bedard was an assistant for Regina, becoming the youngest player to ever wear a letter for the Pats. Last season he scored 51 goals for Regina and finished fourth overall in the league scoring and second in goals.
Wearing the C on his jersey is something the 17 year old has been thinking about since he joined the Pats organization.
“Ever since I was drafted it was a dream to be captain and someone like Logan (Nijhoff) kind of mentoring me for a couple of years.”
Bedard felt it’s a great honour to wear the “C” for the Pats, considering there so many candidates currently wearing blue and white this season.
The first time Bedard wore a “C” was at the 2022 U18’s in Germany. He noted that he was always a younger player on his teams growing so he was hardly tasked of being the official leader for his team
Regina Pats head coach and general manager John Paddock feels preparation is form of leadership and is a big reason why Bedard and the assistants will be wearing letters this season.
Paddock added that he believes in the leadership qualities in his new captain.
“You set an example with how you act on and off the ice and he will set a good example and these other guys as well.”
It was early in the offseason when the Pats head coach and general manager felt he knew how the Pats leadership would look for the upcoming season.
Bateman became an alternate captain with the Pats midway through last season. He ended his season with nine points over 64 games with Regina. The defenseman has split his four seasons in the WHL with Regina and Seattle.
One season after setting career high with the Pats in goals, assists and points, Dubinsky will wear a letter with the Pats for the first time. The forward is entering his fifth and final season with Regina.
Whitehead is entering his second season with the Pats. Last season the forward had 17 points in his rookie campaign with Regina. He was a third round pick of the Pats in 2019 WHL Prospects Draft.
The Pats regular season is just around the corner, as they will begin their season on Friday night at the Brandt Centre when they begin a home and home set with the Regina Pats. The Pats home opener can be heard on 620 CKRM with the pregame show at 6:35, the opening faceoff is 7:00.
Also on Friday leading up to the Pats home opener, the SportsCage will be live on location leading up to the first game of the season beginning at 4:00.
