Connor Bedard has been a sensation out in Western Canada for the past couple of seasons. Hailing out of West Vancouver, BC, Bedard was the first selection in the 2020 WHL Draft and was the first player in WHL history that was granted exceptional status (the seventh player overall behind Taveras, Ekblad, McDavid, Day, Veleno, and most recently Shane Wright).
Bedard and his Regina Pats have been selling out in Western Hockey League rinks this season and as the Pats skate through their Western road swing, I’ll have the honor of taking in the Pats game vs. our hometown Kelowna Rockets this week when the Connor Bedard show comes to town.
As such, The Hockey Fanatic wanted to take a look at the top 10 Connor Bedard games of his WHL career to share just how great this kid has been. He’s slated to be the top selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in June. As of November 24, 2022 he’s already put up 48 points in 22 games for the Regin Pats. For those not familiar with Connor Bedard, here’s a couple of his many accomplishments:
- First overall selection in 2020 WHL Draft and first player in WHL history granted exceptional status.
- Claimed gold at 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship with Canada as just the third double-underager for Canada ever (Tavares and McDavid others)
- CSSHL U15 & U18 MVP, leading the league in goals and points in both seasons.
- Youngest assistant captain in Regina Pats franchise history.
- Tied Canadian World Junior’ record with four goals in a game (the youngest player to do so)
Connor Bedard’s Top 10 WHL Games
Here is a look at Connor Bedard’s top ten games in the Western Hockey League.
#10. April 6, 2021 vs. Swift Current Broncos. As Bedard’s inaugural season neared its end, a solid two goal, two assist performance in a 6-1 Regina win over the Broncos. Connor Bedard was again named first star in the win.
#9. January 25, 2022 vs. Prince Albert Raiders. Bedard scores his 20th goal of the season adds three assists, and is in on all four goals scored by Regina as the Pats shutout the Raiders 4-0.
#8. September 23, 2022 vs. Moose Jaw Warriors. In just the second game of his third WHL season, Connor Bedard had four points (1G, 3A) and four penalty minutes in a 6-3 Regina win. Through his first two games of the season, Bedard tallied 19 shots on goal.
#7. October 30, 2022 vs. Tri-City Americans. With two goals and three assists, Bedard puts up another five goal game in a 7-3 Pats win.
#6. November 9, 2022 vs Edmonton Oil Kings. Two games after putting up five points against the Tri-City Americans, Bedard does it again as he put up five points against Edmonton. Another goal and four assists.
#5. March 29, 2021 vs. Swift Current Broncos. With a goal and three assists, Bedard had his first four point game in the ‘Dub as Regina thumped the Broncos 9-4. Bedard was the game’s first star.
#4. April 17, 2022 vs. Moose Jaw Warriors. Bedard had another five point game in a 7-4 win over Moose Jaw in the last regular season game of the regular season for the Regina Pats. Bedard scored his 50th and 51st goals of the season while adding three assists putting him at 100 points for the season.
#3. January 1, 2021 vs. Moose Jaw Warriors. Bedard’s first 4 goal game (he also scored the OT Winner) becoming the youngest in WHL to score 4 goals in a game since 1996-97 (16yr, 5 m, 15 d). He had a staggering 13 Shots on Goal (SOG) during this game.
#2. March 12, 2021 vs. Prince Albert Raiders. Connor Bedard’s first game in the WHL. He scored two goals 48 seconds apart in the second period for Regina and was named the games first star in a 6-3 loss to the Raiders. Game Summary.
#1. February 11, 2022 vs. Calgary Hitman. In a February home game vs. Calgary, Bedard put up points on all five of Regina’s goals in a 5-0 shutout win over the Hitmen. Bedard scored goals in each period for a hattrick and added assists on goals by Logan Nijhoff and Ryker Evans. Would you believe that he was only the games second star as Pats goaltender Kelton Pyne took top star honors with a 24 save performance.
As with most young talent, hockey pundits and hockey fans alike question the abilities of touted stars. They did this with Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. They’re doing it now with Connor Bedard. One thing is for certain, this kid has some skill, has the moves and fills the seats. The various sellouts in Western Hockey League rinks is a testament to it. People want to see what Connor Bedard is made of.
