C Connor Bedard - Regina Pats, WHL (2023 Draft)

[Bubbles]

So Bedard is headed off to the U-18, I believe he will dominate it in the same way he has dominated the WHL.

15GP - 12G - 16A - 28 PTS 1.87 PPG

Only one game where he went pointless.

 

[Dust]

I respectfully disagree, two seasons of 0 gate revenues is a death knell for any small market team in the WHL. The Broncos lost $791,000 last year and they don't have the financial peace of mind that comes with franchises owned by the uber wealthy.

Fact is, some of these teams are getting very nervous about their books. How long can you run a business that is taking in 0 gate revs and no distribution revs while you are bleeding costs?



I'd be happy to be wrong on all accounts, but the evidence is pointing away from you here..



And I've been watching the WHL for 25 years, with a smattering of season tickets purchases in there, so I do have some sense of how competitive cycles work

I think as long as we get fans back in the stands for the fall Swift Current will be fine. They have such a history in Swift Current and the community has supported them well, I can't see them folding or relocating without a major fight. I'm not a Bronco fan by any stretch of the imagination, but the league is better with them in it.

 

[Bubbles]

Was there any doubt? What a way to end his 15 year old WHL season!

 

[Dominance]

Kid’s set a new bar. Blown every expectation far and away. Exceptional indeed.

 

[Bubbles]

Kid’s set a new bar. Blown every expectation far and away. Exceptional indeed.

That's what exceptional really is. You come into a league and immediately you are the best player. That's what exceptional means.

 

[snipes]

So Bedard is headed off to the U-18, I believe he will dominate it in the same way he has dominated the WHL.

15GP - 12G - 16A - 28 PTS 1.87 PPG

Only one game where he went pointless.

Generational talent holy shit what a start to his WHL career.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

That's what exceptional really is. You come into a league and immediately you are the best player. That's what exceptional means.

Most exceptional status players aren't the best player in the league as a 15 year old.

 

[Dominance]

Most exceptional status players aren't the best player in the league as a 15 year old.

Exceptional exceptional status player?

 

[Kalamazoo Wings]

Wow, incredible finish to his WHL season. Both goals in a 2-1 win over a very good Brandon team.

 

[Hockey Man]

I would say that this shouldn’t be the expectation for exceptional status players. Exceptional status is something that is granted to players who are deemed far enough in their development to warrant playing in the higher CHL leagues. It’s not necessarily an indication that they will be dominant right away in the CHL, but an acknowledgment that their development up to that point shows that they can handle the challenge.

 

[JiggsNY]

Just complete insanity. Nearly 2 pts per game as a 15 year old. I know it’s far out but I can’t help but think if it’s even viable for him to play in the WHL as a 17 year old. Say next year he’s easily north of 2.0 pts a game, maybe we finally see another top prospect go to Europe. After Matthews we thought it’d start a trend but it hasn’t.

 

[Bubbles]

Just complete insanity. Nearly 2 pts per game as a 15 year old. I know it’s far out but I can’t help but think if it’s even viable for him to play in the WHL as a 17 year old. Say next year he’s easily north of 2.0 pts a game, maybe we finally see another top prospect go to Europe. After Matthews we thought it’d start a trend but it hasn’t.

Like you said, no one has followed Matthews example.

Pump the brakes here a bit. He's played 15 games in the WHL. The CHL is a perfectly fine development league. Even if he gets 3 PPGs, it's not like his development slowed. McDavid crushed the OHL in his final season. I think he turned it out OK.

 

[bishop12]

So this is the next insane prospect eh??

 

[Daximus]

Just complete insanity. Nearly 2 pts per game as a 15 year old. I know it’s far out but I can’t help but think if it’s even viable for him to play in the WHL as a 17 year old. Say next year he’s easily north of 2.0 pts a game, maybe we finally see another top prospect go to Europe. After Matthews we thought it’d start a trend but it hasn’t.

Matthews aged out of the USNTDP squad and is only real option was USHL or Europe and he chose Europe. Bedard isn't likely going to move to another continent at 17 just because he's dominating the WHL. I'd say there will never be a CHLer from Canada that would do that. If anything they basically solidify going 1st overall if they dominate.Moving to Europe to play with pro's is a massive risk that could backfire and knock them down in the draft.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Bedard scoring goals and points, rest of the kids around him:
cue the Simpsons meme

 

[Gold Standard]

Looking forward to watching him wear the Maple Leaf.

 

[Dust]

Just complete insanity. Nearly 2 pts per game as a 15 year old. I know it’s far out but I can’t help but think if it’s even viable for him to play in the WHL as a 17 year old. Say next year he’s easily north of 2.0 pts a game, maybe we finally see another top prospect go to Europe. After Matthews we thought it’d start a trend but it hasn’t.

In a normal season I think the competition will be a bit better, with teams probably able to better recruit and convince players to come play, along with the import players that were lacking in the bubble. I hope people don't get alarmed if he can't duplicate 1.87ppg as a 16 year old.

 

[scoutman1]

this kid is scary good...I watched him play 2 years ago before all the covid hit and i was blown away...i have only seen clips of his whl stuff but the kid does not look like an underager he is just so dominant with the puck.

 

[Jabba11]

Who do you guys compare him to in terms of style? A Jack Hughes that can shoot?

 

[McGuires Corndog]

Exceptional exceptional status player?

There’s no doubt in my mind that he bypasses the NHL and goes straight to the Super NHL.

But seriously, this kid is gonna be a legend. McDavid better rack up some trophies in the next 3-4 years because this kid is coming in HOT.

 

[ijuka]

Who do you guys compare him to in terms of style? A Jack Hughes that can shoot?

MacKinnon?

Not sure what similarities he and Jack Hughes would have.

 

[Mathieukferland]

My comparison would be Patrick Kane, if Patrick Kane could shoot like Auston Matthews

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Bad teams better line up their tanks around this kid.

 

[Jabba11]

My comparison would be Patrick Kane, if Patrick Kane could shoot like Auston Matthews

Blasphemy. Comparing a 15 yo to the American GOAT! Jk, that's very interesting and if he's anywhere closed to PK88 then he'll be an amazing player.

 

[Bubbles]

My comparison would be Patrick Kane, if Patrick Kane could shoot like Auston Matthews

This is probably the best comparison so far. Bedard is super shifty, he weaves in and out of traffic. They both have a crazy hockey IQ, he knows where the puck is going to be. And he's got a shot that can beat NHL goalies.