KAMLOOPS | Connor Bedard smiles when asked about his prediction for the Memorial Cup Final between the Quebec Remparts and the Seattle Thunderbirds.
“I have to take the WHL team! he says laughing. It’s going to be quite a game. I can’t wait to see…”
It was with some bitterness that Bedard watched Friday night’s Memorial Cup semi-final game between the Thunderbirds and the Peterborough Petes. In Kamloops, on the sidelines of Saturday’s Canadian Hockey League (CHL) gala where he won three awards including MVP of the season, Bedard would have loved to have been on the ice.
Didier Debusschere / Le Journal de Quebec
“I would still like to play and that’s what came to mind while watching the game. It hurts to watch a tournament you might be in. I haven’t had a chance to play Seattle this season, they’re a special team.
Ready to draft
Bedard travels from Kamloops to Buffalo, where the traditional NHL Combine begins on Monday.
He will go, even though his fate has already been determined and everyone knows he will be handed over to the Chicago Blackhawks on June 28th.
Apparently everyone but him.
“I’ve said it 100 times, but they haven’t asked me yet, so I don’t focus too much on it,” he replies when asked if he’s started researching the City of Wind’s main attractions.
In addition to the most valuable player trophy, Bedard won Canada’s top draft contender and top scorer.
Darveau, Goalkeeper of the Year
For his part, Victoriaville Tigres goaltender Nathan Darveau was voted the country’s goaltender of the year.
The Rouyn-Noranda native had a 2.34 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage last season.
Didier Debusschere / Le Journal de Quebec
Despite his small stature (he’s 1.77m tall), Darveau continues to defy the odds and his title as the country’s top goalkeeper was, in a way, another snub for his detractors.
“Ever since I was young, everyone has doubted me because of my height. To win this award, I show others that I’m among the best.
Masse, quintessential rookie
The only other QMJHL player honored on Saturday, Chicoutimi Saguenéens forward Maxim Massé, received the Rookie of the Year award.
At 16, the third overall pick in the 2022 draft finished with 62 points in 63 games, the second-highest total for players in their freshman year in Canada behind the Regina Pats’ Alexander Suzdalev. However, Connor Bedard’s teammate was 18 years old.
“It means a lot to me. If you look at the names on this trophy, you can tell there are a lot of established players in the NHL. I will continue to work hard to keep that momentum going.
Didier Debusschere / Le Journal de Quebec
Maxim Massé received his trophy from Marie-Philip Poulin.
I’m proud that I’ve maintained my consistency from game to game. The fact that my coach trusted me throughout the year played a positive role.
For his part, Olen Zellweger was voted Defenseman of the Year and Ottawa 67’s head coach Dave Cameron was named the best in his field in the country last season. Evan Vierling (gentleman of the year), Colby Barlow (student player) and Dalyn Wakely (humanitarian player) were the other honorees.