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REGINA Regina Pats forward Connor Bedard has been named the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) 2021 Rookie of the Year. Bedard, the first player in WHL history to be granted exceptional status, was announced as the winner of the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy on Wednesday. The 15-year-old centre earned the honours after leading all first-year players in scoring, registering 12 goals and 16 assists in 15 games. He led all rookies in goals, points, shots on goal and power play points in 2021. “Coming into the season it was a goal of mine to be Rookie of the Year. Being able to win it, especially with all the other rookies that had such great seasons, is really special and exciting,” Bedard said.
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.