Bedard Named East Division Player of the Year

Calgary, Alta. — The Western Hockey League announced Thursday that Pats 16-year-old forward Connor Bedard is the 2021-22 East Division Player of the Year. He is one of four nominees for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, awarded to the WHL Player of the Year.

Bedard recorded 51 goals and 49 assists for 100 points in 62 games this season, leading the WHL in shots on goal (326) and goals per game (0.83), while finishing second in goals and fourth in points and points per game (1.61). The North Vancouver, B.C. native recorded five points (2G-3A) in the season finale to reach the century mark. He also became the youngest player in WHL history to score 50 goals.

The 5-foot-9, 181 lb. centre had the longest point-streak in the WHL this season, recording at least a point in 21 consecutive games (23G-22A-45PTS), as well as setting the Pats record for points and goals in a season by a 16-year-old.

“There are a lot of top players in our division who had great performances, so this is quite the achievement,” Pats Head Coach and GM John Paddock said. “The Pats congratulate Connor on a very deserving honour.”

Bedard will now captain Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 team at the upcoming 2022 IIHF World U18 Championship, scheduled for April 23–May 1 in Landshut and Kaufbeuren, Germany. Last spring, he co-led Team Canada in points with 14 (7G, 7A) en route to a gold medal victory while being a double under-ager. He scored in the gold medal game too, dazzling with an individual effort that he finished top-shelf on the backhand to even the score in the first period. Bedard was named to the media all-star team at the conclusion of the tournament.