Connor Bedard
An explosive Canadian prospect became the first overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Connor Bedard has posted eye-popping numbers on both the Major Junior and international stages. While plenty of players can score before reaching the NHL, it takes a special talent to record 23 points during a seven-game World Junior campaign en route to a gold medal.
For Bedard, his professional future looks bright. Even if he fails to be a truly generational talent, ala Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, his explosiveness and raw offensive ability should at least see him become a legitimate top-line scoring threat.
The North Vancouver native is listed as a center and has played hockey for the WHL’s Regina Pats, spent a brief spell in Sweden with HV71’s youth teams, and has also suited up for the French national team at both the U18 and U20 levels.
Current team: Regina Pats
Position: Center
Draft status: Selected first overall in 2023 by the Chicago Blackhawks
What's in a name? Or, in the case of Connor Bedard, what's in the number 98?
Before he starts life in the NHL, Connor Bedard managed to make Major Junior history one final time.
If you were hoping that Connor Bedard would be marketing gold for the NHL, you might not want to hold your breath.
While Connor Bedard had more than enough talent to take a brief break from hockey, the North Vancouver native still wasn't keen on the idea.
While Connor Bedard isn't going to ink a $500 million contract on his first day in the NHL, that shouldn't stop him from following through on his plan.
While anything can happen on draft night, Connor Bedard seems destined to join the Chicago Blackhawks. That could be a blessing or a curse.
Want to know how your favorite team can potentially land Connor Bedard? Let's break the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery down.
Based on everything we've seen thus far, Connor Bedard is an incredibly talented player. In hockey, though, that isn't always enough.
Connor Bedard impressed scouts with his physicality. That willingness to play rough could make a big difference during his early days in Chicago.
We've all seen an unfamiliar phone number and debated whether we should pick up the call. Fortunately for Connor Bedard, he didn't send the Great One to voicemail.
