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

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Hockey Man said:
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.
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Exactly. It basically means “too good for your age group.” Which makes sense, since a literal definition is simply “unusually good.” Ergo, he is exceptional because he’s “unusually good” for his age. It’s enough that he’s a capable player.

It doesn’t even need to be said tongue-in-cheek: Bedard is an exceptional exceptional player.
 
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Reddwit said:
Exactly. It basically means “too good for your age group.” Which makes sense, since a literal definition is simply “unusually good.” Ergo, he is exceptional because he’s “unusually good” for his age. It’s enough that he’s a capable player.

It doesn’t even need to be said tongue-in-cheek: Bedard is an exceptional exceptional player.
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Back before HC made it an official process the OHL granted it with Tavares and rejected John McFarland based on polling GMs to see if that player would be the best player in the upcoming draft if they were available? Basically are you better than everyone 1 year above your own age group for the OHL draft.

For me this has always been the minimum barometer for exceptional, if the player isn't at least good enough to go 1st in the age group above then you may as well keep them with their own. Sean Day remains the only exceptional player to not be pick 1st.
 
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Breakfast of Champs said:
Back before HC made it an official process the OHL granted it with Tavares and rejected John McFarland based on polling GMs to see if that player would be the best player in the upcoming draft if they were available? Basically are you better than everyone 1 year above your own age group for the OHL draft.

For me this has always been the minimum barometer for exceptional, if the player isn't at least good enough to go 1st in the age group above then you may as well keep them with their own. Sean Day remains the only exceptional player to not be pick 1st.
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What if their own, has been the year ahead of them most of their life ?
True of Bedard yes, but also true of Savoie, and quite a few others. This treating of exceptional status as if they have to be some golden child is completely ridiculous imo. If they're physically and mentally ready..good enough for me, and frankly that assesment should be made about the 16's too. I've seen some 16 yr olds in the dub that should have just spent that year in midget, and not because of lack of skill.
 
Breakfast of Champs said:
Back before HC made it an official process the OHL granted it with Tavares and rejected John McFarland based on polling GMs to see if that player would be the best player in the upcoming draft if they were available? Basically are you better than everyone 1 year above your own age group for the OHL draft.

For me this has always been the minimum barometer for exceptional, if the player isn't at least good enough to go 1st in the age group above then you may as well keep them with their own. Sean Day remains the only exceptional player to not be pick 1st.
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This is exactly it. There’s probably atleast 20 kids each year who could hold there own in the CHL as an underager, but that doesn’t make them exceptional. I doubt after Sean Day you will ever see another exceptional player thag doesn’t go 1OA
 
Is TSN or Sportsnet covering the U-18’s this year? I assume TSN would be? I don’t watch a lot of Junior Hockey aside from the World Juniors, Memorial cup and whatever summer events I can find when I’m Hockey deprived haha but I feel like I have to watch this year to see Bedard actually play for the first time! Not to mention Shane Wright as well.

I missed McDavid’s fantastic U-18 but I’ve seen highlights of them. What stood out in them aside from his otherworldly skating that seemed apparent even then was this Crosby like bank play he did behind the net off the back of it. I can’t remember if it was for a shot or a pass but it stood out because I’ve yet to see him replicate it in the NHL.

Found it about 57 seconds in , it was for an assist. Bit of a weak goal that the goalie let in but I’ve been waiting for him to do it in the NHL.
 
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grentthealien said:
Is TSN or Sportsnet covering the U-18’s this year? I assume TSN would be? I don’t watch a lot of Junior Hockey aside from the World Juniors, Memorial cup and whatever summer events I can find when I’m Hockey deprived haha but I feel like I have to watch this year to see Bedard actually play for the first time! Not to mention Shane Wright as well.

I missed McDavid’s fantastic U-18 but I’ve seen highlights of them. What stood out in them aside from his otherworldly skating that seemed apparent even then was this Crosby like bank play he did behind the net off the back of it. I can’t remember if it was for a shot or a pass but it stood out because I’ve yet to see him replicate it in the NHL.

Found it about 57 seconds in , it was for an assist. Bit of a weak goal that the goalie let in but I’ve been waiting for him to do it in the NHL.
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TSN is the official Hockey Canada/IIHF broadcaster. They've covered the U18 tournament for a while now. always in mid April leading into the men's tournament in early May.

I'd love to see a McDavid like dominant tournament from Bedard, but not expecting it. Somewhere in between John Tavares 5 pt. tournament as a 15 year old and McDavid's 14 pt. tournament 2013 tournament. I got him down for 5 goals and 5 assists. If he exceeds that...then we have an emerging phenom on our hands.
 
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This shortened season has caused a massive frenzy for all fans for the hype with Bedard...

Everyone is absolutely pumped now for next season to see what he will do.

Now we all think/hope he is gonna put up a 2ppg ish average next season and put up a VERY rare 140ish point season next year as a 16 year old!!!

Can't wait till next year to see what he does and also I fully expect him to completely dominate U18
 
Gold Standard said:
TSN is the official Hockey Canada/IIHF broadcaster. They've covered the U18 tournament for a while now. always in mid April leading into the men's tournament in early May.

I'd love to see a McDavid like dominant tournament from Bedard, but not expecting it. Somewhere in between John Tavares 5 pt. tournament as a 15 year old and McDavid's 14 pt. tournament 2013 tournament. I got him down for 5 goals and 5 assists. If he exceeds that...then we have an emerging phenom on our hands.
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Personally I don't see it this way, I'm much more interested to see how we looks vs his elite peers 2 years older in general, but the total pts don't matter as much. I'm really interested to see how he looks vs the Sweden, USAs of the tournament personally, I think Canada should dominate Lativa, Belarus, and the Swiss, so Canada could very well have many high scoring players so if he gets pp he could have some impressive stats.
 
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Breakfast of Champs said:
Personally I don't see it this way, I'm much more interested to see how we looks vs his elite peers 2 years older in general, but the total pts don't matter as much. I'm really interested to see how he looks vs the Sweden, USAs of the tournament personally, I think Canada should dominate Lativa, Belarus, and the Swiss, so Canada could very well have many high scoring players so if he gets pp he could have some impressive stats.
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Me too...I'm expecting he plays well in every game he plays in points or no points vs. the tougher opponents.
And if I remember correctly that was the criticism of McDavid 2013 U18 tournament. No points in the semi final or final despite the fact that he played exceptionally well in both games.

So, I will evaluate the tournament as a whole. play well. get his pts where he can and in the end 5+5 is a reasonable expectation for a 15 year old at this tournament. But I hope he exceeds it.
 
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Gold Standard said:
Me too...I'm expecting he plays well in every game he plays in points or no points vs. the tougher opponents.
And if I remember correctly that was the criticism of McDavid 2013 U18 tournament. No points in the semi final or final despite the fact that he played exceptionally well in both games.

So, I will evaluate the tournament as a whole. play well. get his pts where he can and in the end 5+5 is a reasonable expectation for a 15 year old at this tournament. But I hope he exceeds it.
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McDavid did have a hat trick vs Sweden though, its not like all of his pts were vs teams like Belarus etc., he truly dominated, like you said even in games he wasn't scoring.
 
Skinnyjimmy08 said:
This shortened season has caused a massive frenzy for all fans for the hype with Bedard...

Everyone is absolutely pumped now for next season to see what he will do.

Now we all think/hope he is gonna put up a 2ppg ish average next season and put up a VERY rare 140ish point season next year as a 16 year old!!!

Can't wait till next year to see what he does and also I fully expect him to completely dominate U18
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Will be interesting to see what he does against OTHER TEAMS next year.
 
Funny, I was just coming here to post that it will be telling to see how Regina plays without Bedard.

Currently, 0-2 with 3 goals for, albeit against better teams.

Pats were 6-6-3 averaging 3.67 GF with Bedard.
 
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Dominance said:
Funny, I was just coming here to post that it will be telling to see how Regina plays without Bedard.

Currently, 0-2 with 3 goals for, albeit against better teams.

Pats were 6-6-3 averaging 3.67 GF with Bedard.
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any which way you look at it, all indicators point to this player being absolutely phenomenal.

Haven't looked at the U20 team yet, but I think Hockey Canada may need to make him the centerpiece of the '22 team...but let's see how he handles U18s first.
 
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