With six games remaining in the Regina Pats regular season, the end of Connor Bedard’s time in the Queen City could be drawing to a close soon.
Bedard is the odds-on favourite to be selected as the number-one pick of the 2023 NHL Draft this June in Nashville.
Not surprisingly, the Pats captain has become a fan favourite in Regina over the past three seasons. It was evident last week when he made an appearance at the St. Bernadette School for their safety patrol appreciation assembly.
Today was a day our students will remember when they are elderly – once in a lifetime kinda day. A safety patrol appreciation assembly had special guests and a REALLY special ⭐️ guest @RCSD_No81 @CAASaskatchewan @URWomensHockey @WHLPats #bobcatpride pic.twitter.com/ucfTyo3ISA
— St Bernadette School (@StBernadetteBob) March 7, 2023
Bedard told Michael Ball on Tuesday’s edition of the SportsCage that it’s still a surprise to see the reaction he generates when he makes public appearances.
“For me when I wake up and look at myself in the mirror, I don’t see anything different than I have ever seen.”
The North Vancouver product said he experienced a similar starstruck expression when the New York Islanders Matthew Barzal participated in a practice with his hockey team. Bedard said he feels fortunate that now he calls Barzal a mentor and a friend.
The 17-year-old has found himself to be a role model to many including here in Regina, Bedard says he tries to be a good person off the ice as well as being an exceptional hockey player.
“Being someone that kids can look up to.”
During the second half of the season, after the forward returned from the World Juniors in Halifax, the Pats have played in front of packed crowds almost on a nightly basis, including the February 1 encounter in Calgary with over 17,000 fans in attendance. The 17-year-old says the last couple of months has been great, playing in front of a lively atmosphere with his teammates on a regular basis.
“It’s been so much fun, the support we’ve been able to get has been unreal.”
Heading into the final ten days of the WHL regular season, the Pats find themselves in the 6th spot of the Eastern Conference. They are three points ahead of Medicine Hat and lead a group of three teams by six points. Regina has cooled off recently as the team has gone 0-3-1 in their last four games including a 7-0 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.
Bedard said the Pats are looking to reverse their recent trend and will try and pick up some victories as the regular season comes to an end.
When the season concludes, the Pats captain will be among the leaders in the major scoring categories. Bedard leads the WHL in goals (61) and points (125), and he is tied for the most assists (65) in the league.
The Pats return to action on Wednesday when they host the Brandon Wheat Kings on 620 CKRM. Coverage begins at 6:35, and Dante De Caria will have the play-by-play beginning at 7:00.
