Connor Bedard Will Not Play In World Championships

Jeff Marek of Sportsnet reports that the presumptive first-overall pick in this year’s upcoming draft, Connor Bedard, will not suit up for Team Canada in the upcoming World Hockey Championships. This indicates that we have seen the last of Bedard for this season, and his next bit of competitive hockey action will be in the NHL next year.

In one of the most incredible junior seasons throughout WHL history, Bedard cemented himself as one of the most important prospects in the game. In 57 games played for the Regina Pats, the captain of the team scored 71 goals and 72 assists, leading Regina to an 11th-place finish in the league. Outside of the WHL, Bedard also led Team Canada in this year’s World Junior Championship, scoring nine goals and 14 assists in only seven games, leading Team Canada to the gold medal.

In an unfortunate end to his likely last season in junior hockey, the Regina Pats were eliminated by the Saskatoon Blades in seven games, eliminating Regina from the WHL playoffs, and ultimately the Memorial Cup playoffs as well. Although losing, it was no fault of Bedard, as the young prospect scored 10 goals and 10 assists in their opening-round matchup.

In just over two weeks, the NHL and its fans will learn who will likely take Bedard first overall in this year’s draft, as the NHL draft lottery is scheduled for May 8th. In recent years, there have been some surprise teams leap into the first-overall slot, but it will most likely fall to either the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, or Chicago Blackhawks, as all three teams have over a 10% chance of winning the draft lottery in May.