Regina Pats phenom Connor Bedard makes history at CHL Awards
Projected top pick in upcoming NHL draft wins 3 awards, including Player of the Year
Connor Bedard made Canadian Hockey League history on Saturday.
The 17-year-old was also the first to claim three trophies at the CHL Awards since Edmonton Oilers star — then with the Erie Otters — Connor McDavid won the Player of the Year, Top Prospect and Scholastic Player of the Year awards in 2015.
"It's pretty exciting, for sure," the North Vancouver, B.C. native said. "There's been a lot of cool names in the past that have won this award [player of the year] and for me, I think it's a team celebration as well.
"There's always a lot of people that you're playing with that are helping you and I think that's an exciting part about it."
WATCH | Bedard sets eyes on future:
Bedard — set to turn 18 years old on July 17 — had 143 points (71 goals, 72 assists) in 57 regular-season games starring for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League.
Former Calgary Flames and Canadian men's national team star Jarome Iginla presented Bedard with the Player of the Year award.
"That's obviously a huge name, a legend in hockey," Bedard said. "For me to get to meet him today and to have him present that award was pretty special, just being a fan of his and growing up watching him... it's awesome."
WATCH 📽️ | <a href="https://twitter.com/WHLPats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WHLPats</a> captain Connor Bedard meets the media after being named the CHL David Branch Player of the Year, Top Scorer and Top Draft Prospect. <a href="https://t.co/ISU3DL8Huv">pic.twitter.com/ISU3DL8Huv</a>
—@TheWHLBedard, who has also earned a number of accolades starring for the Canadian world junior team, including two gold medals, is now preparing for the NHL draft which takes place June 28-29 in Nashville, Tenn.
"I'm still young and have a lot I wanna do in my hockey career," he said when asked of his journey. "But like I said, I've just been pretty fortunate to be able to play in some of these tournaments and leagues and experience these things that I've gotten to experience.
"It's been a hell of a ride so far and hopefully it continues."
Blazers defenceman Zellweger leads other winners
Olen Zellweger of the Kamloops Blazers took home the CHL Defenceman of the Year award.
Nominated alongside Pavel Mintyukov of the Ottawa 67's and Tristan Luneau of the Gatineau Olympiques, it was the first time an NHL team had three of its prospects up for the honour. Each player was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks between 2021 and 2022.
"I know them pretty well so far from training camp and development camp," Zellweger said. "They're great people, as well as players. It's exciting to have other players there in that competition when we go to camp."
Nathan Darveau of the Victoriaville Tigres claimed the Goaltender of the Year award, Dave Cameron of the Ottawa 67's won the Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year award and Maxim Masse of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens earned Rookie of the Year honours.
Evan Vierling of the Barrie Colts grabbed Sportsman Player of the Year, Colby Barlow of the Owen Sound Attack earned Scholastic Player of the Year and Dalyn Wakely of the North Bay Battalion was named Humanitarian of the Year.
The nominees were determined by the winner of the corresponding award presented in each member league: the WHL, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
