Young Connor Bedard is already a regular winner of these awards and could add more this month as he is a finalist for the annual International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Player of the Year award.
The 17-year-old skater is one of seven contestants hoping to win first prize. Another Canadian is among the athletes in the running, Adam Fantilli, who will also be included in the group of players to be selected early in the next National League draft.
Voted the most outstanding hockey player in the Western Junior League, Bedard recorded 71 goals and 72 assists for 143 points in 57 games last season for the Regina Pats. In the first-round loss to the Saskatoon Blades, he picked up about 20 points in seven games. The forward also helped Canada win the World Junior Championship last winter.
For his part, Fantilli contributed to the Canadian gold medals he won at the two world tournaments, juniors in January and seniors in May. He also won the Hobey-Baker Award, given to the best player in the American collegiate scene.
The two men’s contenders are German defenseman Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings, JJ Peterka, a member of the Buffalo Sabers organization, Switzerland’s Andres Ambuhl, Czech Dominik Kubalik and Latvian goalie Arturs Silovs. To qualify for this award, you must have competed in an IIHF sanctioned event and played in what is known as a national or national league. Winner’s identity will be announced on June 19th.