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

[grentthealien]

BC Hockey announces exceptional player status for Connor Bedard – WHL Network

Great news for the WHL. Hopefully he’ll get to play as soon as possible next autumn.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He must've agreed to play for any team, unlike Savoie.

 

[Daximus]

Excellent news! Hopefully the Warriors get the first pick and I can watch him right in my backyard pretty much.

 

[Superlative Soup]

Excellent news! Hopefully the Warriors get the first pick and I can watch him right in my backyard pretty much.

He’ll be a Pat

 

[Dominance]

I recently watched a video of Nathan MacKinnon’s 14 year old-season highlights, and the stylistic similarities pop out. There is little doubt that Bedard is better at the same age, though. Progress is not linear, of course, but I see current MacK as an attainable ceiling for this kid.

Excited to watch him play in the dub next season. Moose Jaw, Regina, wherever, I’ll make the trip.

 

[Daximus]

He’ll be a Pat

Don't make me puke!

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Good for him, hope he does well.

Anyone know a potential 2006 exceptional status player in Canada?

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

More Western Canadian talent.

Between Bedard, Savoie, and Guenther, the dub is cooking up some exciting young talent.

 

[Kiekura]

Holy f*** this kids ability to skate, shoot and carry the puck.

 

[grentthealien]

TSN actually interviewed him for 4 minutes the other night. It was a good interview. He’s well spoken for his age and I was impressed by his maturity when talking about making the best of a bad situation when referencing Coronavirus. His voice reminds me of Jack Hughes oddly enough though lol. I’ll link the interview below

 

[Superlative Soup]

Don't make me puke!

Hope you're doing alright today

Big day for Regina! We are going to be spoiled for the next few years

 

[newfy]

He was a man child. He wasn't the level of player either of JT or McDavid. I mean, if you want to find 15 year olds who can play in the CHL and not be completely overwhelmed, you can probably find 3 to 5 every year. So, it really depends on the criteria. When I think of exceptional, I think of kids who can challenge for a WJC spot at 16 (McDavid made it, Tavares was a late cut) and are high-end players at the U-18's at the end of their 15-year-old year. Guys like McDavid and JT were top 5 players in the OHL at 16. So, it really means how you are defining exceptional. Hockey Canada seems to be in a middle ground.

I actually like the CHLs definition for exceptional status better than yours. Its about moving kids ahead who will be held back by playing against their age group. Its not about being a McDavid/Tavares at 16 that can play the WJC and can contribute, its about being able to develop more than you would against gys your own age in midget.

A guy like Veleno was a really mature player for his age and immediately contributed in the QMJHL. Had he stayed in midget it would've held him back and he still had the talent to be a first round pick. He also ended up arguably the best player in the Q while still having ayear of eligibility left. Not a first overall talent, but a first round talent that could contribute immediately and ended up a very good player in that league. Ekblad didnt blow the OHL apart either, still went first overall, but he looked like he was 40 when he was 15. Playing in midget was going to do absolutely nothing for him.

Guys like Ekblad and Veleno werent just guys that would "not be completely overwhelmed" they were immediate contributors in that league.

Bedard will be interesting to follow. If his shot is that good at like 5'9, what will it be like when hes grown. 5'9 is definitely small so hopefully he grows and doesnt get manhandled too much in the WHL

 

[Daximus]

Hope you're doing alright today

Big day for Regina! We are going to be spoiled for the next few years

Moose Jaw can never have anything nice.

 

[Newfoundland]

I actually like the CHLs definition for exceptional status better than yours. Its about moving kids ahead who will be held back by playing against their age group. Its not about being a McDavid/Tavares at 16 that can play the WJC and can contribute, its about being able to develop more than you would against gys your own age in midget.

A guy like Veleno was a really mature player for his age and immediately contributed in the QMJHL. Had he stayed in midget it would've held him back and he still had the talent to be a first round pick. He also ended up arguably the best player in the Q while still having ayear of eligibility left. Not a first overall talent, but a first round talent that could contribute immediately and ended up a very good player in that league. Ekblad didnt blow the OHL apart either, still went first overall, but he looked like he was 40 when he was 15. Playing in midget was going to do absolutely nothing for him.

Guys like Ekblad and Veleno werent just guys that would "not be completely overwhelmed" they were immediate contributors in that league.

Bedard will be interesting to follow. If his shot is that good at like 5'9, what will it be like when hes grown. 5'9 is definitely small so hopefully he grows and doesnt get manhandled too much in the
WHL

Isn't that like average height?

 

[newfy]

Isn't that like average height?

For a hockey player at that level? No. For a professional hockey player? definitely not. For any joe blow walking down the street? Sure

 

[Jabs102501]

We saw Seth Jarvis who was listed as 5'9" for most of the year dominate the WHL, so as long as he has the skills, his height shouldn't be an issue especially due to his age.

 

[Bubbles]

First, congratulations for Connor! A real achievement to be the first WHL exceptional player.

At 5'9, I can hope he can hang with the rough and tumble WHL. But it should be a pleasure to watch him for the next 3 years.

 

[grentthealien]

Out of curiosity since there is a lot of talk about height right now what is generally considered typical growth from 14 to 18 for a male? I honestly have no clue how much I grew between those ages. Is it reasonable to think Connor might grow another 3-4 inches before the time he is a pro?

 

[Breakers]

North Shore Winter Club Stand Up...my old barn

Sakic
Kariya
Hull
Kane
Barzal
Rielly

 

[wings5]

Out of curiosity since there is a lot of talk about height right now what is generally considered typical growth from 14 to 18 for a male? I honestly have no clue how much I grew between those ages. Is it reasonable to think Connor might grow another 3-4 inches before the time he is a pro?

Anywhere from 2-4 inches growth would be normal, with anything less or more being somewhat atypical.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

North Shore Winter Club Stand Up...my old barn

Sakic
Kariya
Hull
Kane
Barzal
Rielly

He's BWC

 

[Breakers]

He's BWC

hmm my mistake.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

hmm my mistake.

cant mix up them!.. that was a major rival!.. that's like mixing up RedSox and Yankee guys lol

 

[Breakers]

cant mix up them!.. that was a major rival!.. that's like mixing up RedSox and Yankee guys lol

Not for me when I was there.
Burnaby winter club was garbage, with that bad ice surface.
They cared more about the ringette arena.

 

[Bubbles]

Out of curiosity since there is a lot of talk about height right now what is generally considered typical growth from 14 to 18 for a male? I honestly have no clue how much I grew between those ages. Is it reasonable to think Connor might grow another 3-4 inches before the time he is a pro?

According to Elite Prospects, he has an uncle called Jim Bedard that had a cup of tea in the NHL. He was listed at 6'0. Not much info about his parents, but that's a creepy rabbit hole I don't want to go down.

With proper nutrition, and the fact that he works out every day (crazy dedication at 14) I would guess he could be anywhere from 5'10-6'2.