Our Favorite Future Blackhawk Just Made CHL History
17-year-old Connor Bedard had to make history one last time before leaving the CHL for good this summer.
On Saturday, the CHL awards were announced in Kamloops, B.C. The presumptive number one draft pick won not one, not two, but all three major awards. Bedard was presented Satuday night with the David Branch Player of the Year trophy, Top Scorer Award, and Top Draft Prospect Award. It marks the first time in CHL history that one skater has brought home all three honors.
Bedard is all but guaranteed to go first overall to the Blackhawks at the end of June, and his most recent season in the CHL proved why. He led a Regina Pats squad without much NHL-caliber talent to a WHL playoff berth, where the team lost in Game 7 to the Saskatoon Blades. Throughout that season, he led all CHL skaters in goals (71), points (143), shots on goal (360), and points per game (2.51) in only 57 regular season games. The last time a Western Hockey League player broke the 140-point mark was 27 years ago.
Top Scorer
Throughout this season, Bedard showcased his scoring prowess remarkably. He made 71 goals look all too easy with his lethal shooting ability, whether it was a blistering blue-line slapshot or from his agility to score from inside. The CHL Top Scorer Award, which is presented annually to the league’s highest-scoring player, came as a surprise to no one, as his stat sheet production was head and shoulders above the rest.
Top Draft Prospect
Similarly, it wasn’t too shocking to see Bedard receive the CHL Top Draft Prospect Award, given annually to the best eligible prospect. Bedard is potentially the best prospect we’ve seen this century, with some saying he looks better coming out than Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby did. There’s no question that he’ll go first overall to the Blackhawks, and for good reason.
Player of the Year
Bedard’s most impressive new addition to his trophy case is the David Branch Player of the Year Award. It’s selected from the winners of each Canadian league’s MVPs, including the winner of the Red Tilson Trophy (OHL), Michel Briere Memorial Trophy (QMJHL), and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL). As the winner of the latter, Bedard was judged to be the most outstanding player in the entire CHL.
As Connor Bedard leaves the CHL to take the next step in his hockey career with the Blackhawks, he’ll be remembered as possibly the most electrifying player to ever skate in the league. For a Blackhawks team that’s practically adopted the motto, “The future is bright”, their soon-to-be centerpiece has become its brightest spot.