The first player in WHL history to be granted exceptional status was named the league’s top first-year player Wednesday.
Regina Pats centre Connor Bedard was named the WHL’s rookie of the year after leading the league’s freshman in scoring with 28 points during the 2020-21 season.
The 15-year-old — the first WHLer to be granted exceptional player status by the Canadian Hockey League — had 12 goals and 16 assists in 15 games in the East Division bubble at the Brandt Centre. He tied Ryker Evans for the Pats’ scoring lead.
“Coming into the season, it was a goal of mine to be rookie of the year. Being able to win it, especially with all the other rookies that had such great seasons, is really special and exciting,” Bedard said in a media release.
“I’m looking forward to the upcoming season, as I can’t wait to get back to Regina with my teammates and finally play in front of our fans, who I’ve heard so much about.”
The product of North Vancouver, B.C., was selected first overall by Regina in the 2020 WHL draft.
Bedard went on to lead all WHL rookies in goals (12), points (28), shots on goal (70) and power-play points (10) and tied the Swift Current Broncos’ Matthew Ward for the rookie lead in assists (16).
Bedard was leading the WHL in scoring when he left to play for Canada at the IIHF U18 world championship in Texas. His final tally of 1.87 points per game was the second-best rate in the WHL.
“It’s another acknowledgement of who he is and what he’s done to this point in his young career as a person and player, and he’s being rewarded for it,” Pats head coach Dave Struch said of Bedard’s award.
“There’s going to be little victories like this throughout his career and they’re all part of his development. This will be one of those things for him to build on.”
Bedard is the sixth Pats player to be named WHL rookie of the year. He joins Jeff Friesen (1992-93), Dale Derkatch (1981-82), Dave Michayluk (1980-81), Dennis Sobchuk (1971-72), and Ron Garwasiuk (1966-67).