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

[Passchendaele]

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.

He's not even 15 yet.

Crosby was 5'8" at 14.

 

[wings5]

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.

Proper nutrition yes , but working out doesn't help you grow taller.

 

[flying v 604]

My bad. There is one player 16 days younger than Bedard with zero points over a full season. Accomplishment annulled.

Why do some people feel the need when correcting someone instead of being like "ya missed one irrelevant kid cheers" instead they find the most pompous and snooty way? Cheers.

 

[flying v 604]

Well, this is just plain incorrect. Hayden Telford is younger.

Sheldon Cooper is that you?

 

[Daximus]

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

Pretty sure the WHL actually has the lowest average height of any of the 4 higher end junior leagues in North America (O, Q, USHL and W). Pretty sure the average listed height for the WHL is 6'0. And judging by what most player re listed at on the WHL site, I'd say quite a few are exaggerated. I'd be willing to bet the average height of the Dub is somewhere between 5'8 and 5'10. Plus the kid is 14 and is likely not anywhere close to done growing. 5'8 and 165 is pretty damn lean to for a 14 year old. I would not be surprised if he is 5'9 or 5'10 by the end of next season. He could easily be 6'0 by the time his NHL draft rolls around and likely pushing into the 180 range.

 

[grentthealien]

Pretty sure the WHL actually has the lowest average height of any of the 4 higher end junior leagues in North America (O, Q, USHL and W). Pretty sure the average listed height for the WHL is 6'0. And judging by what most player re listed at on the WHL site, I'd say quite a few are exaggerated. I'd be willing to bet the average height of the Dub is somewhere between 5'8 and 5'10. Plus the kid is 14 and is likely not anywhere close to done growing. 5'8 and 165 is pretty damn lean to for a 14 year old. I would not be surprised if he is 5'9 or 5'10 by the end of next season. He could easily be 6'0 by the time his NHL draft rolls around and likely pushing into the 180 range.

Yeah I’m not as worried about his height either. As long as his growth doesn’t stagnate I think he’ll be fine at something like 5ft10 or 5ft11. At the end of the day his hockey IQ and Skill is what’s going to determine how successful he will be and today’s NHL is much more kinder to sub 6 foot players. Now if he was like
5ft 4 or 5ft5 or something I’d be a bit more concerned. However if that was the case I highly doubt he would have been given exceptional status.

I can see him having a Mcdavid like rookie season in the dub so just a bit over or perhaps a bit under a point per game. I don’t expect him to be as dominant as Shane Wright was this year. Mcdavid was a beanpole his 15 year old year and really didn’t hit his true stride until his 2nd and 3rd OHL Seasons.

 

[wetcoast]

Proper nutrition yes , but working out doesn't help you grow taller.

Maybe some innovative stretching?

Just kidding and even if he doesn't hit 6 feet he is going to be an explosive WHL player and most likely an NHL one as well.

 

[Daximus]

Yeah I’m not as worried about his height either. As long as his growth doesn’t stagnate I think he’ll be fine at something like 5ft10 or 5ft11. At the end of the day his hockey IQ and Skill is what’s going to determine how successful he will be and today’s NHL is much more kinder to sub 6 foot players. Now if he was like
5ft 4 or 5ft5 or something I’d be a bit more concerned. However if that was the case I highly doubt he would have been given exceptional status.

I can see him having a Mcdavid like rookie season in the dub so just a bit over or perhaps a bit under a point per game. I don’t expect him to be as dominant as Shane Wright was this year. Mcdavid was a beanpole his 15 year old year and really didn’t hit his true stride until his 2nd and 3rd OHL Seasons.

The WHL is tough for young players to come in and perform well when they don't have a size advantage. It's probably the most physical and defensive league of the 3. Goaltending in the Dub this year blew the other two leagues out of the water. It's much harder to score in the Dub.

 

[grentthealien]

The WHL is tough for young players to come in and perform well when they don't have a size advantage. It's probably the most physical and defensive league of the 3. Goaltending in the Dub this year blew the other two leagues out of the water. It's much harder to score in the Dub.

I’m aware. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation for Bedard’s rookie year then?

 

[landy92mack29]

Pretty sure the WHL actually has the lowest average height of any of the 4 higher end junior leagues in North America (O, Q, USHL and W). Pretty sure the average listed height for the WHL is 6'0. And judging by what most player re listed at on the WHL site, I'd say quite a few are exaggerated. I'd be willing to bet the average height of the Dub is somewhere between 5'8 and 5'10. Plus the kid is 14 and is likely not anywhere close to done growing. 5'8 and 165 is pretty damn lean to for a 14 year old. I would not be surprised if he is 5'9 or 5'10 by the end of next season. He could easily be 6'0 by the time his NHL draft rolls around and likely pushing into the 180 range.

I'd say you're very wrong in thinking the average height is that small. There are very few sub 5'10 players in the league and it's likely the biggest league. The Junior A leagues are small(BC/AJ/SJ/MB)) because the smaller players simply can't handle the physicality of the league or play fast enough to make up for their size. Even for the bantam draft unless the kid is at least 5'7+ at 15 they aren't going to get picked unless they are extremely talented

 

[Love]

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

Sakic
Kariya
Hull
Kane
Barzal
Rielly

I believe Ryan Johanson as well

 

[landy92mack29]

I’m aware. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation for Bedard’s rookie year then?

Pats still won't be great next year unless they get some unexpected commitments so Bedard will likely have a top 6 role with a fair amount of pp time from the get go so I'd say if he plays the full 68 games around 40-45 points is reasonable. Now if they can get Gushchin, Smilanic or the upcoming import pick to report that'd likely help the production.

 

[grentthealien]

Pats still won't be great next year unless they get some unexpected commitments so Bedard will likely have a top 6 role with a fair amount of pp time from the get go so I'd say if he plays the full 68 games around 40-45 points is reasonable. Now if they can get Gushchin, Smilanic or the upcoming import pick to report that'd likely help the production.

That does Sound reasonable. I was expecting a bit more like maybe 50 something points in 60 something games but with the way the style of play in the WHL is I’d say your expectations are more likely. That being Said I don’t think many expected Shane Wright to be as good as he was this season so who knows. Shane of course was physically bigger and played in the OHL though which are advantages Connor won’t have.

Still this is uncharted territory though at least in recent memory the only example I can think of a 15 year old getting in a ton of games in the WHL Was Savoie this year and he was 16 for some of those games. I suppose Dach in 16-17 as well but I’m not sure how many games he played in at 15 since he has a January Birthday. Bedard Will be 15 the whole season.

 

[Daximus]

I’m aware. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation for Bedard’s rookie year then?

I would be happy with a .5 PPG season. From a 15 year old that would be pretty substantial in the WHL. 34 points in 68 games. Dach had 10 in 19 as a 6'2 15 year old. Other kids have come in and done pretty well but with small sample sizes.

 

[Daximus]

That does Sound reasonable. I was expecting a bit more like maybe 50 something points in 60 something games but with the way the style of play in the WHL is I’d say your expectations are more likely. That being Said I don’t think many expected Shane Wright to be as good as he was this season so who knows. Shane of course was physically bigger and played in the OHL though which are advantages Connor won’t have.

Still this is uncharted territory though at least in recent memory the only example I can think of a 15 year old getting in a ton of games in the WHL Was Savoie this year and he was 16 for some of those games. I suppose Dach in 16-17 as well but I’m not sure how many games he played in at 15 since he has a January Birthday. Bedard Will be 15 the whole season.

I think the increase in scoring in the OHL really helped with his transition. A damn good player but 5 or 6 years ago he likely doesn't produce similar totals.

 

[canucklax]

Regina is losing their top 3 scorers and dont return too much scoring from last year, I dont think they have the talent around Bedard for him to really be explosive offensively. 40 points in a full season seems very reasonable. If they release Cikhart they could get a high end import to play like how Wright got Chromiak for the second half of the year

 

[Daximus]

I'd say you're very wrong in thinking the average height is that small. There are very few sub 5'10 players in the league and it's likely the biggest league. The Junior A leagues are small(BC/AJ/SJ/MB)) because the smaller players simply can't handle the physicality of the league or play fast enough to make up for their size. Even for the bantam draft unless the kid is at least 5'7+ at 15 they aren't going to get picked unless they are extremely talented

I was going by an old THW article. I'll go by EP.

In the Dub 11 of 22 teams have an average height of 6'0, 1 team has an average height of 5'11, 8 teams have an average height of 6'1 and two teams have an average height of 6'2. Which means the average height of the WHL is 6'0.50

OHL has 10 teams with avg height of 6'0, one team at 5'11, and 9 teams at 6'1. Which means an average height of 6'0.35

QMJHL has 10 teams at 6'0, 5 teams at 5'11 and 3 teams at 6'1. Which means av average height of 5'11.61

USHL has 15 teams at 6'0 and 1 team at 5'11. Which is an avg height of 5'11.94

So looks like the WHL is actually the tallest now. Propped up by Lethbridge and Seattle having an average height of 6'2. If those level out at all it would be fairly even across the board with the Q and U having

We know for a fact that based on combine height testing that teams often round up when measuring players and in some cases we've seen players listed a full inch or two taller than they actually are. So I would not doubt that all 4 leagues are skewed a little bit higher because of it.

Just for shits at gigs I'll check out the Junior A leagues.

BCHL -6'0.06
AJHL - 5'11.4
SJHL - 5'11.83
MJHL - 5'11.73

Interesting that all teams but the AJHL are taller on average than the QMJHL.

 

[oooooooooohCanada]

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

Sakic
Kariya
Hull
Kane
Barzal
Rielly

Rielly (and the Reinhart's) were the Hollyburn Huskies out in west van not the NSWC. Winter club teams were cheat codes though. I played for Van Minor and remember our top rep team losing to the NSWC/BWC's 3-4th best teams lol. Pays to have money in hockey.

 

[newfy]

Pretty sure the WHL actually has the lowest average height of any of the 4 higher end junior leagues in North America (O, Q, USHL and W). Pretty sure the average listed height for the WHL is 6'0. And judging by what most player re listed at on the WHL site, I'd say quite a few are exaggerated. I'd be willing to bet the average height of the Dub is somewhere between 5'8 and 5'10. Plus the kid is 14 and is likely not anywhere close to done growing. 5'8 and 165 is pretty damn lean to for a 14 year old. I would not be surprised if he is 5'9 or 5'10 by the end of next season. He could easily be 6'0 by the time his NHL draft rolls around and likely pushing into the 180 range.

Theres no way the average height in the WHL s close to 5'8", thats absurd. Hes obviously not done growing but that doesnt change his size for this upcoming season in the most physical junior league. Hes obviously good so he might be fine, but hes still small for that league and is only 15

 

[Daximus]

Theres no way the average height in the WHL s close to 5'8", thats absurd. Hes obviously not done growing but that doesnt change his size for this upcoming season in the most physical junior league. Hes obviously good so he might be fine, but hes still small for that league and is only 15

I was going off an old THW article from 2008. The average height in the WHL is basically 6'0. He'll likely come into next season at 5'9 I would bet. So not to far off. No different then many other high end 15 year olds.

 

[Gold Standard]

That does Sound reasonable. I was expecting a bit more like maybe 50 something points in 60 something games but with the way the style of play in the WHL is I’d say your expectations are more likely. That being Said I don’t think many expected Shane Wright to be as good as he was this season so who knows. Shane of course was physically bigger and played in the OHL though which are advantages Connor won’t have.

Still this is uncharted territory though at least in recent memory the only example I can think of a 15 year old getting in a ton of games in the WHL Was Savoie this year and he was 16 for some of those games. I suppose Dach in 16-17 as well but I’m not sure how many games he played in at 15 since he has a January Birthday. Bedard Will be 15 the whole season.

yeah, given his age/physical stature and the league he'll be playing in my expectations are lower. in addition to time lost this year/and the impact on offseason training
...IF we're playing hockey in September/October and there's a season....if he hits 30 pts. (15 goals 15 helpers) I'll be tickled pink. I will then look for big things in his 16 year old sophomore season.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

Anything over 0.5 point-per-game would be a successful season for him next year. You can't look at Shane Wright and expect him to replicate those point totals. He's less physically developed and will be playing on a worse team, and the WHL is lower-scoring and more physical than the OHL.

 

[wetcoast]

yeah, given his age/physical stature and the league he'll be playing in my expectations are lower. in addition to time lost this year/and the impact on offseason training
...IF we're playing hockey in September/October and there's a season....if he hits 30 pts. (15 goals 15 helpers) I'll be tickled pink. I will then look for big things in his 16 year old sophomore season.

While I understand this I also think that he will score more than 30 points if he plays the full season as his opportunity will be greater than Savoie this year in Winnipeg.

 

[newfy]

I was going off an old THW article from 2008. The average height in the WHL is basically 6'0. He'll likely come into next season at 5'9 I would bet. So not to far off. No different then many other high end 15 year olds.

I would love to see a link to that. I find it hard to believe in 2008 that 5'8" was anywhere close to the average height

 

[Daximus]

I would love to see a link to that. I find it hard to believe in 2008 that 5'8" was anywhere close to the average height

Likely closer to 5'10 or 5'11. We know for a fact that player heights listed on league websites are often not always accurate. 6'0 is pretty much the average height of the listed heights of the WHL. I bet it's at least a little over blown. I've seen WHL players at banquets and out at bars and a few I've met are definitely a lot smaller then me and I'm 5'9.5 and when I look up their heights they are listed at 5'10 or 5'11.