Soon enough Connor Bedard will be etching his name in the record books professionally. On Monday, the Regina Pat rewrote the all-time lists for Team Canada at the World Juniors, in their quarterfinal matchup against Slovakia.
Bedard’s opening goal of the game broke three Team Canada records. The 17-year-old surpassed former Pat, Jordan Eberle to become Canada’s all-time leader in goals (15). He became Canada’s career leader in points (31) after moving past Eric Lindros on the list. The icebreaking goal from the Pats captain also made him the holder of the most points (18) by a Canadian player at the World Juniors, as Bedard leapfrogged both Dale McCourt (1977) and Brayden Schenn (2011).
What else can we say, #CB98 likes to break records ¯_(ツ)_/¯#LegendsInTheMaking | #WorldJuniors | @HockeyCanada pic.twitter.com/PXHFAFP92y
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) January 3, 2023
Shortly after Bedard became the new all-time leader in goals, Eberle congratulated Bedard on his achievement.
Connor Bedard 🤝 @jeberle_7
From one @WHLPats star to another, the #WorldJuniors legend has a personal message of congratulations for the new all-time 🇨🇦 goal-scoring leader. pic.twitter.com/B2L0cdpIrX
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 3, 2023
Earlier in the week, Lindros offered his support to the 17-year old in his quest to become Canada’s top player in the history of the World Juniors.
Happy New Year! Don’t just break the record Connor Bedard, smash it! Win the tournament. Go Canada! #WorldJuniors
— Eric Lindros (@88EricLindros) January 1, 2023
Even with the record-breaking goal, the North Vancouver product’s evening was not over as he scored a highlight reel goal in overtime to give Canada a 4-3 overtime win against Slovakia.
One more look … because why not? 🚨 #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/XogZ210ptD
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) January 3, 2023
Thanks to Bedard’s overtime winner, Canada will now face the Americans in one of the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Pats defenceman Stanislav Svozil and Team Czechia will face Sweden in the other semi-final tomorrow.
The gold and bronze medal games will take place on Thursday.