Connor Bedard of North Vancouver, British Columbia made Western Hockey League history on Sunday. In a 7-4 Regina Pats win over the Moose Jaw Warriors, Bedard scored twice, and in the process became the youngest player ever in the WHL to record 50 goals in a season. Bedard’s age on Sunday was 16 years and 258 days old.
In 62 games this season for the Pats, Bedard had 51 goals and 49 assists for 100 points. However, the Pats are not playoff bound in the WHL playoffs, as Regina was last in the East Division with a record of 27 wins, 36 regulation losses and five losses in extra time.
Defense is an area where Bedard needs to work on. Despite reaching the century mark in points, Bedard was only a zero when it came to plus/minus.
Bedard meanwhile was fourth in WHL scoring in 2021-22. He was behind Surrey, British Columbia native Arshdeep Bains of the Red Deer Rebels (112 points), Vernon, British Columbia native Ben King of the Rebels (105 points), and Kamloops, British Columbia native Logan Stankoven of the Kamloops Blazers (104 points). King meanwhile was the only player to have more goals than Bedard, as he finished with 52 goals.
At this time Bedard is expected to be the first round pick in the 2023 National Hockey League Draft. There is also anticipation he will become hockey’s next superstar.
