'It was an honour': Connor Bedard reflects on 3 seasons with Regina Pats
All eyes in the hockey world have been on Regina for the past few months for one reason: Connor Bedard.
The 17-year-old forward racked up 71 goals and 143 points in 57 games in the 2022-23 season.
Technically, he could have years left in junior hockey, but that’s not expected to happen.
“He’s not coming back,” Regina Pats head coach and general manager John Paddock said, adding Bedard would fit nicely into an NHL line up right now.
As players packed up their belongings on their final day with the Pats Wednesday, Bedard said the end of a season is always challenging regardless of next steps.
“Obviously I’m not sure of the future or anything, so I’m just saying my thank yous to everyone, whether I’ll be back next year or not,” Bedard said.
“It’s always tough to leave the group of guys you were with all year.”
In three seasons with the team, Bedard said the recent playoff series with the Saskatoon Blades was the most memorable.
The Blades beat the Pats 4-1 in game seven on Monday night.
“Just playing in front of our crowd and feeling that energy and stuff,” he said.
“Overall, the community was just so supportive of us and of myself obviously. I’ve had so much fun in my last three years here.”
In addition to the seven game series, Bedard said his time in the city in general was a high point.
“The people are so nice and for me, I love it here. I’m super grateful that I got to play here,” he said.
“The people I got to play with and learn from have been so great.”
Despite so much attention on Bedard this season, he said he didn’t let it affect his performance on the ice.
“It changed nothing to be honest. That’s a lot of outside noise and for me, I was focused on what I can do in the room to help make us better and to try to play my best,” he said.
Being selected as captain of the Pats this season was a goal for the 17-year-old.
“It was an honour,” he said.
“It’s a pretty historic franchise and for me to be on that long list of captains was a dream of mine coming in. For me to be able to wear [the C] was pretty exciting. I didn’t take it for granted.”
Paddock said he’s seen Bedard grow both on and off the ice in his seasons with the Pats.
“It’s hard to describe. He was the best player even when he first came,” Paddock said.
“He’s just gotten better. And then he was always mature with how he was brought up, always a hard worker, but we really saw - especially the last half of the year - just a step in speaking up and speaking out, and in a way challenging us at different times.”
Now, Bedard will head home to British Columbia to catch up with friends and family before quickly resuming his training schedule as the NHL draft draws closer.
“The focus turns to training and getting better. For me, there’s definitely lots of areas to improve,” he said.
“It’s getting back in the gym and trying to get faster and stronger and whatnot. I think I have my specific goals, but right now I’m still thinking about the loss obviously.”
NHL Central Scouting projects Bedard to be the number one pick in the upcoming draft.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.