Bedard, projected No. 1 pick in 2023 Draft, off to fast start at WJC

EDMONTON — Connor Bedard is beginning his most important season to date with his biggest tournament so far.

Projected to be the No. 1 selection in the 2023 NHL Draft, the 17-year-old forward is taking a top-line role with Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship at Rogers Place, before playing with Regina of the WHL this season.

He didn’t look out of place in that role Wednesday, when he had a goal and an assist in Canada’s first game of the tournament, a 5-2 win against Latvia.

“I think playing in this tournament is going to help me a lot this year,” Bedard said Tuesday. “Playing against the best in the world is always good for you and I think it’ll be good for me going into Regina.”

Bedard, who is from North Vancouver, British Columbia, is the only player to be awarded exceptional status by the WHL, allowing him in the league as an underaged player at 15. He was one of the few 16-year-olds to be selected to Canada’s world junior team this past season, joining an exclusive club, which includes Wayne Gretzky, Eric Lindros, Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid.

Bedard became the youngest player at the World Junior Championship to score four goals in a game and had five points (four goals, one assist) in two games in December before the event was cancelled because of COVID-19 concerns, and rescheduled for August.

Gretzky was the last 16-year-old to score three goals in a game for Canada at the World Junior Championship in 1977.

“I’ve had a few months since that tournament and you get older and stronger and things like that, but I think the goal still remains the same,” Bedard said. “I’m just as excited now as I was then to get started.”

Bedard (5-10, 183 pounds) will begin the tournament on Canada’s top line at right wing with center Mason McTavish and left wing Joshua Roy. McTavish, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks, was named Canada’s captain.

“[Bedard] had a full summer to work out, so obviously he’s gotten a little stronger,” McTavish said. “He was only 16 the last time and young kids are going to get stronger. It’s crazy he’s only 17 now, but he’s pretty strong for his age and that’s probably the biggest thing I noticed.”

Bedard had 100 points (51 goals, 49 assists) with Regina in his first full season in the WHL. He had 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 15 games with them as a 15-year-old, in a season disrupted by the pandemic.

“He’s an elite, elite player, but elite, elite players also have to grow and develop,” Canada coach Dave Cameron said. “He’s eight months older, bigger and smarter, and we expect him to be a big part of our hockey club. The best players improve, but the expectations don’t change; he’s expected to be a good teammate, he’s expected to bring his best to the table and be part of a good hockey club.”

Despite his success at the World Junior tournament before it was cancelled, Bedard does not feel any more pressure to perform now. Canada plays next against Slovakia on Thursday (6 p.m. ET), Czechia on Saturday (6 p.m. ET), and Finland on Monday in Group A.

“I think you try to focus on that inner circle with your team and things like that so, I’m not too sure what people expect,” Bedard said. “But I think if you’re looking at the lineup [playing on top line] maybe there’s a little more thoughts on what my performance will be. But personally, I haven’t really thought about it too much and I’m just going to go and do what I can to help. I think whether it be first line, second line, third, fourth, you’re going to do whatever you can to help, and the goal is always to win a gold medal not about personal stuff.”

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