This weekend, Connor Bedard will complete one of the greatest regular seasons in Regina Pats history.
The 17-year-old is on top of the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) leaders for goals(70), assists (72) and points (142) as he begins the final two games of the year.
Bedard became the fifth player in Pats history to score 70 goals in a WHL season on Sunday during the Regina’s victory over the Saskatoon Blades at the SaskTel Centre.
Doug Wickenheiser holds the all-time record for goals in a single season by a Regina Pat when he scored 89 goals back in 1979-80. Dale Derkatch scored 84 goals in 1982-83.
When the Pats were in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Fran Huck had 86 goals in 1963-64.
Currently Bedard’s 70 goals is sixth on the Pats all-time list for a single season record. Just ahead of the North Vancouver product are Mike Blaisdell who had 71 goals in 1979-80 and Derkatch who scored 72 in the 83-84 season.
It should be noted Bedard’s success this season came with a shorter schedule with him taking part in the World Juniors in Halifax. Throughout this season, the likely top pick of the 2023 NHL Draft has accumulated a 2.58 PPG (Points Per Game) average which ranks third among the Pats leading scorers in a single season.
On Friday the Pats will visit the Blades for the final encounter of the regular season. To finish off the season at the Brandt Centre, Regina will welcome in the Prince Albert Raiders.
It’s expected to be a big crowd once again in Saskatoon, following the biggest crowd in Blades history on Sunday. Regina has announced the season finale on Saturday is sold-out.
620 CKRM will have coverage of both games, with pre-game coverage at 6:35, opening faceoff will be at 7:00.
