There is no doubt about Connor Bedard’s talent, but according to the main prospect it is still too early for a comparison with the extremely successful Connor McDavid.
The 17-year-old player, who everyone has been waiting for for several years to be the first prospect to hear his name in the 2023 National Hockey League (NHL) draft, has swept everything that came his way through the junior ranks.
The pressure is on the shoulders of young Bedard, who many expect will rival Sidney Crosby and McDavid for clout on his debut.
“I know when people compare me to someone, like McDavid, I think he has 700 points in the NHL. I still do not have the effect of such a player. It’s cool to see your name being associated with these guys. I hope to play against them one day,” he said modestly in an interview with Sportsnet broadcast on Friday.
Like the Edmonton Oilers captain, Bedard is an outstanding lateral thinker. He has 102 goals in 110 games with the Regina Pats of the Western Junior League. At the last World Junior Championships, he scored nine goals (and 23 points) in just seven games. He insisted on remembering that he was also an excellent games maker.
“I think people see me as a shoot-first guy. For my part, I think I’m always trying to make the right play, whether it’s a pass or a shot. It always depends on what gives you the defense,” explained the Briton.
By the June draft, Bedard said he wanted to continue to prove his worth. Let’s just say he doesn’t have much left to prove with 81 points in 33 games with the Pats.