Bedard named recipient of Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL Player of the Year for 2022-23 presented by Kia
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard has been awarded the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the WHL Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season presented by Kia.
The 2023 NHL Draft prospect, ranked first-overall among North American Skaters by NHL Central Scouting, led the League in goals (71) and points (143) during the 2022-23 WHL Regular Season, while also finishing tied for the League lead in assists (72) and game-winning goals (11).
This season, Bedard became the first WHL skater to record 140 or more points in a single regular season in 27 years; the product of North Vancouver, B.C. also enjoyed a 35-game point streak from September 24, 2022 through February 1, 2023, recording a total of 90 points during that span.
“It is such an honour to win this award, and I am so proud to play in the WHL with all the amazing players, and the players that have won this award before me,” said Bedard.
“I would not have been able to do this without my teammates, coaches, training staff and of course, the amazing Regina Pats fans. I would like to give a huge thank you to my family for the sacrifices they have made in helping me get to this point.”
“As a proud partner of the CHL and presenting sponsor of the Memorial Cup, Kia Canada is honored to congratulate Connor Bedard of the Regina Pats, winner of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the WHL Player of the Year,” said Michael Kopke, Director of Marketing for Kia Canada. “Connor’s accomplishments this season were truly inspiring and we look forward to seeing his bright future in hockey continue for years to come.”
Four Broncos Memorial Trophy Finalists
B.C. Division – Logan Stankoven, Kamloops Blazers
Central Division – Kai Uchacz, Red Deer Rebels
U.S. Division – Jackson Berezowski, Everett Silvertips
Bedard becomes the sixth Regina Pat to have been named WHL Player of the Year. In addition to Bedard, the Pats have previously been recognized in 2016-17 (Sam Steel), 2009-10 (Jordan Eberle), 2002-03 (Josh Harding), 1979-80 (Doug Wickenheiser) and 1972-73 (Dennis Sobchuk).
He is the first NHL Draft-eligible player to be named WHL Player of the Year since Sam Reinhart of the Kootenay ICE won the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy during the 2013-14 season.
The Four Broncos Memorial Trophy is the most prestigious award of the WHL and recognizes the player whose performance is deemed to be the most outstanding during the WHL Regular Season.
On December 30, 1986, the Swift Current Broncos were involved in a tragic bus crash while travelling to a game in Regina. Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka and Brent Ruff lost their lives as a result of the crash. The Broncos have posthumously retired the numbers of all four players.
The Four Broncos Memorial Trophy serves as a constant memory in honour of the four players to this day.
The 2023 WHL Awards were voted upon by WHL General Managers and members of the media.
Winners of the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (since 2003)
| 2022-23 | Connor Bedard, Regina Pats |
| 2021-22 | Logan Stankoven, Kamloops Blazers* |
| 2020-21 | Peyton Krebs, Winnipeg ICE |
| 2019-20 | Adam Beckman, Spokane Chiefs |
| 2018-19 | Joachim Blichfeld, Portland Winterhawks |
| 2017-18 | Carter Hart, Everett Silvertips |
| 2016-17 | Sam Steel, Regina Pats |
| 2015-16 | Dryden Hunt, Moose Jaw Warriors |
| 2014-15 | Oliver Bjorkstrand, Portland Winterhawks |
| 2013-14 | Sam Reinhart, Kootenay ICE |
| 2012-13 | Adam Lowry, Swift Current Broncos |
| 2011-12 | Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City Americans* |
| 2010-11 | Darcy Kuemper, Red Deer Rebels |
| 2009-10 | Jordan Eberle, Regina Pats* |
| 2008-09 | Brett Sonne, Calgary Hitmen |
| 2007-08 | Karl Alzner, Calgary Hitmen |
| 2006-07 | Kris Russell, Medicine Hat Tigers |
| 2005-06 | Justin Pogge, Calgary Hitmen |
| 2004-05 | Eric Fehr, Brandon Wheat Kings |
| 2003-04 | Cam Ward, Red Deer Rebels |
| 2002-03 | Josh Harding, Regina Pats |
* – also selected as Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
