/https%3A%2F%2Fallbuzznews.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F03%2FKHP_0042-copy-1-1024x683-1-3.jpg)
Connor Bedard is a hyper-talented young hockey player. At the age of 15, the Western Junior Hockey League named him an outstanding player.
Bantam
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![Bantam]()
He was selected first overall in the 2020 Bantam draft in the midst of the pandemic, when the development of young field hockey players was uncertain.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_19868913-scaled-1-1.jpg)
Regina Pats
Credit: KH Pohotgraphy
![Regina Pats]()
It was in 2020-21 that young Bedard began his journey to the top: 28 points in 15 games with the Regina Pats!
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FKHP_2779-copy-1024x683-1-1.jpg)
Regina Pats
Credit: KH Pohotgraphy
![Regina Pats]()
Finally, the Pats had not made a mistake in selecting him first!
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FKHP_0577-copy-1024x683-1-1.jpg)
North Vancouver
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![North Vancouver]()
Originally from North Vancouver, B.C., Bedard had to move to Saskatchewan to start his junior field hockey career.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_19859804_168397911_lowres-1.jpg)
U18
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![U18]()
Bedard's travels were numerous over the next few months. He played in the World Under-18 Championship...
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_19860300-scaled-1-1.jpg)
CMJ
Credit: KH Pohotgraphy
![CMJ]()
...and then at the World Junior Hockey Championship, twice!
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FKHP_2260-copy-1024x683-1-1.jpg)
2022
Credit: OSPH PH
![2022]()
In 2022, Bedard became only the 7th player in Canada's history to be selected at age 16. The others?
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2F31550092_web1_31505439-a7547caa04414ad7a5f5d32d0756f677-1.jpg)
Wayne Gretzky
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![Wayne Gretzky]()
Wayne Gretzky in 1978.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_3633332-scaled-1-1.jpg)
Eric Lindros
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![Eric Lindros]()
Eric Lindros in 1990.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_10550905_168397911_lowres-1.jpg)
Jason Spezza
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![Jason Spezza]()
Jason Spezza, in 2000.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_2159444-1.jpg)
Jay Bouwmeester
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![Jay Bouwmeester]()
Spezza was also joined by another 16-year-old player in 2000, Jay Bouwmeester.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_3558601-scaled-1-1.jpg)
Sidney Crosby
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![Sidney Crosby]()
Sidney Crosby, not surprisingly, is also one of 7 players selected as a 16-year-old in Canada's junior program. That was in 2004.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_7705720_168397911_lowres-1.jpg)
Connor McDavid
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![Connor McDavid]()
Finally, Connor McDavid, in 2014. Frankly, we're talking big guns!
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_8852292-scaled-1-1.jpg)
Gold Medals
Credit: TSN
![Gold Medals]()
The rest is history: Canada won two gold medals with Bedard in 2022 and 2023.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2Fconnor-bedard-1-1904095-1673359931575HFTSN-1.jpeg)
23 points
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![23 points]()
Bedard scored 8 points in 7 games in 2022 and dominated in 2023 with 23 points in 7 games.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_18903671_168397911_lowres-1.jpg)
The Best
Credit: KH Photography
![The Best]()
Not surprisingly, he was named the best player of the tournament.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FJunior-hockey-Connor-Bedard-WHL-Regina-PatsKHPHOTO-1.jpg)
More than two points per game
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![More than two points per game]()
Back in Canadian junior field hockey, it's still a dream season for Connor Bedard as he's averaging more than two points per game.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_19868855_168397911_lowres-1.jpg)
1st pick
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![1st pick]()
There seems to be no doubt that Connor Bedard will be the first pick.
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_19868929-scaled-1-1.jpg)
Who's up?
Credit: USA Today/IMAGN
![Who's up?]()
It remains to be seen which team will earn the first ever selection!
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2FUSATSI_19859215-scaled-1-1.jpg)
A jewel
Credit: TSN
![A jewel]()
This team could then get their hands on a gem of the Crosby or McDavid type, no less...
/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.buzznews.ca%2F2023%2F03%2F2023_1_8_5e4f46d3-1264-44c8-b1e8-0f99229b579c_jpg_1920x1080tsn-1.jpg)
