Rising Star: The story of Connor Bedard, the next Mcdavid and Crosby

By Jackson Peck

Sunday January 29, 2023

Have you noticed how the previous two generational talents to come out of the NHL draft in the past 20 years are both Canadian superstar centres and captains of their respective teams? Well if you had to guess where the next generational prospect is from you would probably guess Canada right? Well, you would be correct. His name is Connor Bedard and as you guessed he is from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, oh and he plays centre. In the past couple of years, scouts have determined that other countries are catching up to Canada in terms of talent being drafted. Just look at stars like Auston Matthews and Jason Robertson to give you some examples, both American. However, in the past twenty years, Canada has had two generational talents and another one on the way, still proving that Canada is on top of the hockey world. After watching Connor Bedard light up the past two world juniors, he has proven that he is what the scouts call him: a generational talent. That goal that he scored against Slovakia in overtime was chilling. He is currently playing for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League and every single arena he visits is sold out to the point that some teams in the league are getting more attendance than the Arizona Coyotes, a team in the NHL. In 33 games for Regina, Bedard has 81 points (39 goals & 42 assists); those are absurd numbers in the WHL, a competitive league. The NHL saw how good Connor Bedard is and changed the draft lottery system to make teams less likely to tank for Connor Bedard, who will no doubt be drafted 1st overall. Let me just say whatever team he gets drafted to, I will be very excited to see another generational talent blow up the league like Connor Mcdavid and Sidney Crosby.