Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard. (File photo courtesy of Keith Hershmiller Photography)
The first player in WHL history to be granted exceptional status was named the league’s top first-year player Wednesday.
Regina Pats centre Connor Bedard was named the WHL’s rookie of the year after leading the league’s freshmen in scoring with 28 points during the 2020-21 season.
The 15-year-old the first WHLer to be granted exceptional player status by the Canadian Hockey League had 12 goals and 16 assists in 15 games in the East Division bubble at the Brandt Centre. He tied Ryker Evans for the Pats’ scoring lead.
By Mitchell Blair
Jun 9, 2021 | 1:10 PM
In news that should not come as a surprise, the Western Hockey League’s rookie of the year is Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard.
The 15-year-old, who was the first WHL player to have been granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada, lived up to expectations and then some.
In 15 games, he had 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points. In 10 of his 15 games, he had multi-point games.
Bedard becomes the sixth member of the club to win the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the rookie of the year. Others to have taken the honour were Jeff Friesen (1992-93), Dale Derkatch (1981-82), Dave Michayluk (1980-81), Dennis Sobchuk (1971-72) and Ron Garwasiuk.