Connor Bedard, who will certainly be selected first overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, turned 16 two weeks ago, and now he could earn a spot on Canada's Under-20 team. At only 15 years old, he's one of the greats and he's proven it with 28 points, including 12 goals, in just 15 games in the WHL.
Add to that his prowess at the U18 Championship, where he wowed the crowd with masterful feints and mind-blowing plays. We're talking about a "kid" who was only 15 years old at the time of this event. Dazzling a ton of scouts and thousands of fans seemed easy for the youngster, who capped off the tournament with 14 points in seven games. With such dominance, how can you believe he won't be part of the men's national under-20 hockey team next winter?
It's a rare occurrence for a 16 year old to break into a lineup decorated with veterans, but exceptional players like him can do it. The last one to do it was named Connor McDavid. A war machine, as is the "little" Bedard, who managed to graft himself into Canada's under-20 lineup in 2014. If he is invited by Team Canada, his chances of breaking into the lineup are VERY high! Shane Wright, who is expected to be selected first in 2022, seems to believe it!
We talk, we talk, we speculate, but for my part, I don't see how the 5'9" young man could be left out of the U20's roaster for the next edition of the tournament!
