All eyes are on Connor Bedard right now. The 17-year-old is widely acknowledged as the biggest talent in hockey right now, and it’s been several years since there was this much hype around a player.
Bedard is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NHL Entry Draft later this summer, and he’s coming off a season where he won two gold medals for Team Canada in the World Junior Championship. During the two tournaments, Bedard has broken all kinds of records. And speaking of records…
Bedard has scored 163 points this season in 64 games, and few players can compete with his points-per-game-ratio in the league’s history.
Connor Bedard is special, and hockey fans can’t wait to see him compete in the NHL as his junior years are over. Bedard won’t play senior hockey until the fall, and after he gets drafted, but many have hopes in seeing him compete in the World Championship that’s being held in Finland, beginning on May 12.
READ MORE: NHL insider wants Crosby, Malkin, and Letang benched for the Penguins’ final game this season
It would be a sensation if Bedard would play for Team Canada before even getting drafted. But now, TSN insider Darren Dreger claims there’s a chance. Talking on TSN’s The Morning Show, Dreger says it’s not ruled out but that he’ll need a few days of rest before he makes his mind up.
”You always question what he has to gain at this point?” He said.
”Every time you wear the Canadian jersey, you gain something. You should be proud to play for your country, and I’m sure that’s the case with Connor, but look at the year that he’s coming off. I mean, ridiculous numbers at Regina Pats, and his overall WHL career, it’s like 134 goals in 134 games.
”But he played for Canada in the World Juniors in the summer, then followed it up with another sensational showing at the World Juniors over Christmas. It’s been a long run for him, and this is a special time in Connor Bedard’s life.
”To go through the upcoming draft lottery, and followed by all the circumstances of going first overall … He’s going to want to experience every aspect, every moment of that.”
According to reports on Twitter, Ken Campbell from The Hockey News said that Hockey Canada wants to see Bedard, and even Adam Fantilli, who scored 30 goals and 65 points in 36 games for the University of Michigan this season.
”Take this to the bank: Both Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli will receive invites for Canada’s World Championship team,” he said on Hockey Unfiltered.
