Connor Bedard (born July 17, 2005; Age: 18 years) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is widely regarded as one of the best hockey prospects of his generation and has already achieved remarkable feats in his young career. He has won championships with Team Canada at the international level, broken several records, and earned numerous awards and honors.
He is also the first player to be granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada, allowing him to play in the major junior leagues at the age of 15. In this article, we will explore the life, achievements, and impact of this hockey phenom who has taken the world by storm.
Height and Weight
One of the first things that people notice about Connor Bedard is his height and weight. Bedard is not the tallest or the heaviest player in his draft class, but he is not the smallest either. He has a balanced and proportionate physique that allows him to play with speed, agility, and power.
According to the NHL Scouting Combine, Bedard measured in at 5’ 9.75″ tall in height and weighed 185 pounds. Although he fell just short of his desired goal of breaking the 5-foot-10 mark, Bedard took the result in good humor. He jokingly expressed his disappointment: “I didn’t really care at all. I don’t think it matters, but it was funny. It was pretty close, but I didn’t make it.”
Bedard’s height and weight are similar to those of some of the league’s leading scorers, such as Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, and Clayton Keller of the Arizona Coyotes. Bedard does not let his size deter him from playing with confidence and skill. He uses his quickness, vision, and creativity to create scoring chances and evade defenders.
Body Measurements and Physical Statistics
Another aspect of Connor Bedard’s physical attributes that is important to consider is his body measurements and physical statistics. These include his wingspan, body fat percentage, hand size, and foot size. These measurements can give an indication of his potential for growth, strength, and coordination.
According to the NHL Scouting Combine, Bedard had a wingspan of 70.5 inches, a body fat percentage of 9.6%, a hand length of 7.5 inches, a hand width of 8.5 inches, a foot length of 10.5 inches, and a foot width of 4 inches. These measurements are within the average range for his age and position. They suggest that Bedard has room to grow and develop his muscles and bones as he matures.
Performance in Drills
One of the most exciting parts of the NHL Scouting Combine is the performance in drills. These are tests that measure the prospects’ speed, strength, power, agility, endurance, and explosiveness. They are designed to evaluate the prospects’ physical abilities and potential for improvement.
Connor Bedard participated in several drills during the combine, including the vertical jump, horizontal jump, bench press, and pro agility movement. He also performed the VO2max and Wingate bike tests, which are aerobic fitness tests that measure the prospects’ stamina and energy output.
Bedard impressed the scouts and teams with his performance in the drills. He showcased his strength by completing 14 pull-ups, which was the top result of the day until that point. He also had a top result of 93 inches for the horizontal jump, which measures the prospects’ lower-body power and explosiveness. His bench press result was 6.28 power watts/KG, which measures the prospects’ upper-body strength and power.
Bedard also demonstrated his agility and quickness by performing well in the pro agility movement, which measures the prospects’ ability to change direction and accelerate. He had a time of 4.32 seconds for the left side and 4.28 seconds for the right side. These times are comparable to those of some of the fastest and most agile players in the NHL, such as Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche and Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bedard also pushed himself hard in the VO2max and Wingate bike tests, which are considered to be the most challenging and exhausting in the combine. The VO2max test measures the prospects’ aerobic capacity and endurance, while the Wingate test measures the prospects’ anaerobic capacity and power. Bedard had a VO2max score of 54.5 ml/kg/min and a Wingate score of 11.8 watts/kg. These scores are above average for his age and position and indicate that Bedard has a high level of fitness and energy.
Fitness Routine
Connor Bedard’s performance in the NHL Scouting Combine was not a fluke. It was the result of his dedication and hard work in his fitness routine. Bedard follows a strict and rigorous fitness regimen that helps him maintain and improve his physical condition and performance.
Bedard’s fitness routine consists of four main components: strength training, cardio training, flexibility training, and recovery. He works out at least five times a week, alternating between different types of exercises and intensity levels. He also pays attention to his nutrition and hydration, as well as his sleep and rest.
Biography and Family
Connor Bedard was born on July 17, 2005, in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is the son of Tom Bedard and Melanie Bedard, and has a sister named Madison Bedard, who is a kinesiology student and a gymnast at Simon Fraser University. Connor’s great-great uncle James Bedard played 22 NHL games for Chicago between 1949 and 1951.
Bedard grew up in a hockey-loving family and was introduced to the sport by his father at a young age. He quickly developed a passion and a talent for the game and showed exceptional skills on the ice. He played minor hockey with West Vancouver Academy Prep of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, where he led the league in goals and points and was named Most Valuable Player in both the U15 and U18 divisions. He also played for the North Shore Winter Club, where he won several championships and awards.
Bedard’s hockey abilities caught the attention of coaches and scouts, who predicted a bright future for him. He was featured in an article by The Hockey News in 2018, titled “The Future of Hockey”. He was also granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada in March 2020, becoming the first player to receive such status in the Western Hockey League (WHL). This allowed him to enter the major junior leagues a year early, at the age of 15.
Connor Bedard BIO/Wiki
Name | Connor Bedard |
---|---|
Born | July 17, 2005 (age 18; as of 2023) |
Birthplace | North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
Weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
Position | Center |
Shoots | Right |
NHL team | Chicago Blackhawks |
NHL Draft | 1st overall, 2023 |
WHL team | Regina Pats |
WHL Draft | 1st overall, 2020 |
National team | Canada |
Girlfriend | Not Known |
Net worth | $10 million (estimated) |
Favorite things | Hockey player: Sidney Crosby Movie: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Food: Sushi Music: Ed Sheeran Hobby: Reading |
Profile | Instagram- @_connorbedard |
Regina Pats (2020–2023)
Connor was selected first overall by the Regina Pats in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, and signed a standard player agreement with the team in April 2020. He made his WHL debut on March 12, 2021, scoring two goals and an assist in a 6–3 win over the Prince Albert Raiders. He finished his rookie season with 12 goals and 16 assists in 15 games, leading the league in points per game with 1.87. He also won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL Rookie of the Year, becoming the youngest player to ever win the award.
In his second season with the Pats, Connor Bedard continued to dominate the league, scoring 41 goals and 51 assists in 52 games, leading the league in both categories. He also helped the Pats reach the WHL Final, where they lost to the Edmonton Oil Kings in six games.
Bedard was named the WHL Player of the Month for October, November, January, and March, and was also awarded the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL Scoring Champion and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the WHL Most Valuable Player. He became the first player to win both trophies in the same season since Sam Reinhart in 2014.
In his third and final season with the Pats, Connor had another stellar campaign, scoring 35 goals and 65 assists in 48 games, leading the league in assists and points. He also led the Pats to their first WHL Championship since 1980, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime in Game 7 against the Oil Kings. Connor was named the WHL Player of the Month for September, October, December, and February, and was also given the Brad Hornung Trophy as the WHL Most Sportsmanlike Player and the Daryl K. Seaman Trophy as the WHL Scholastic Player of the Year. He became the first player to win both trophies in the same season since Curtis Lazar in 2013.
Bedard also received national recognition for his outstanding performance in the WHL, as he was named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Top Scorer and the CHL Player of the Year. He became the first player to win both awards in the same season since John Tavares in 2009.
Chicago Blackhawks (2023–present)
Bedard was eligible for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and was widely considered to be the consensus first overall pick. He was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks, who had won the draft lottery, and became the first player from British Columbia to be drafted first overall since Joe Sakic in 1987. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on July 1, 2023, and made his NHL debut on October 5, 2023, against the Colorado Avalanche. He scored his first NHL goal on October 7, 2023, against the St. Louis Blues, becoming the youngest player in NHL history to score a goal at 18 years and 82 days old.
Connor Bedard quickly established himself as one of the best players in the NHL, scoring 25 goals and 35 assists in 82 games, leading all rookies in points and finishing second in goals. He also helped the Blackhawks return to the playoffs after a three-year absence, scoring four goals and six assists in 11 games, before they were eliminated by the Minnesota Wild in the second round. Connor was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for October, November, January, and March, and was also awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year, becoming the youngest player to ever win the award.
International Career
Connor has represented Canada at various international tournaments, and has won several medals and accolades. He made his international debut at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championship, where he scored seven goals and seven assists in seven games, leading the tournament in points and helping Canada win the gold medal. He also became the youngest player to ever score a goal for Team Canada at the U18 level, at 15 years and 276 days old.
Bedard was then selected to play for Canada at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, where he scored six goals and eight assists in seven games, leading the tournament in points and helping Canada win the gold medal. He also became the youngest player to ever score a goal for Team Canada at the World Junior level, at 16 years and 164 days old.
Connor returned to play for Canada at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, where he had a historic performance, scoring 14 goals and 18 assists in seven games, setting new records for the most goals, assists, and points in a single tournament. He also helped Canada win the gold medal for the second consecutive year, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime in the final against Russia. He was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Best Forward, and All-Star Team member, and also received the Directorate Award for the Best Forward.
Bedard was also named the inaugural recipient of the IIHF Male Player of the Year award, which recognizes the best male ice hockey player in the world.
Personal Life and Girlfriend
Connor is currently single and focused on his hockey career. He lives in Chicago, Illinois, with his teammate and mentor, Jonathan Toews, who is also the captain of the Blackhawks. Bedard wears number 17, which is his birth date and also the number worn by his great-great uncle, James. He is a fan of the Vancouver Canucks and his favorite player growing up was Sidney Crosby.
As per Newsunzip, he is also a fan of soccer and supports Manchester United. He likes to play video games, watch movies, and listen to music in his spare time. He is a Christian and attends church regularly. He is also involved in various charitable causes, such as supporting children’s hospitals and hockey programs.
Trivia
- He is the first player of exceptional status to play in the WHL, the first to be drafted by the Regina Pats, the first to be drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, and the second to be drafted first overall in the NHL.
- Bedard is the youngest player in WHL history to score a goal, the youngest player in NHL history to score a goal in his debut and in the playoffs, and the youngest player in IIHF history to score a hat-trick in the World Junior Championship.
- He is the only player to win the WHL Player of the Year, the WHL Top Scorer, and the CHL Player of the Year in the same season.
- Connor is the only player to score 18 goals and 37 points in a single World Junior Championship, setting new records for both categories.
- He is the first player to win the IIHF Male Player of the Year award, which was introduced in 2023.
- He is the first player to win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year and the IIHF Male Player of the Year award in the same season.
Connor Bedard is a remarkable hockey player who has achieved incredible success at a young age. He is a gifted scorer, a creative playmaker, a fierce competitor, and a humble leader. He has won championships, awards, and accolades at every level of hockey and has broken many records along the way. He is widely considered as the future of hockey and one of the best players in the world. He has a bright future ahead of him and a lot more to accomplish in his career. He is an inspiration to many young hockey players and fans around the world.
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