4EverRangerFrank Posted November 18, 2018 Share Posted November 18, 2018 The attention has already been white-hot for Bedard, who stands 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds and celebrated his 13th birthday in July. But if he’s feeling the pressure, either on or off the ice, he is certainly not showing it. He and his family have so far rebuffed the entireties of agents and teams in the behemoth Greater Toronto Hockey League to move east so he can display his talents in the country’s biggest city. He’s likely the youngest player to have been profiled in The Hockey News and then there are the comparisons to some of the greatest players in the game. “It’s super cool and exciting with all these calls we’re getting and it’s super interesting for me and my parents,” Bedard said. “This is all so new for us. It’s also super humbling.” As far as dealing with agents is concerned, Bedard is even less fazed. “I think we can handle it,” he said of him and his family. “It’s just people.” A lot of things are super in Connor Bedard’s world these days. He’s skated with the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Junior League, even though he’s a couple of years from being able to play at that level. Next season, Bedard hopes to play for West Van’s under-18 team against players up to three years older, something that would require an exemption from the B.C. Hockey, the organization that governs minor hockey in that province. The designation has never been granted, not even to prodigies such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Mat Barzal. That will likely be followed next season by an application to Hockey Canada to be granted “exceptional player” status, which would allow Bedard to play in the Western League in the 2020-21 season. Matthew Savoie, who has received a similar exemption to play for an under-18 prep school team in Alberta, is believed to be applying to become the first exceptional status player in WHL history for next season. It’s believed Shayne Wright of the Don Mills Flyers, a bantam-aged player in midget hockey this season, will apply for exceptional status in the Ontario League for next season, and possibly another bantam-aged player named Adam Fantilli, who plays for the Toronto Red Wings. Fantilli is a late-birthday 2004-born player who doesn’t turn 14 years old until Dec. 10. Whew, that’s a lot of exceptional players. “I think for Connor it’s going to be a balancing act with the pressure he puts on himself and what everyone is expecting when they come to watch him play,” Calvano said. “We haven’t really ever had anything of this magnitude on the west coast. Mat Barzal kind of had it, but not to this extent.” https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/meet-the-future-of-hockey-13-year-old-connor-bedard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Christ...this is the same age my kid is. We see some extremely talented 05's out there. Have not heard about this one yet but man...this is the 1st year that he's been involved in hitting. At his weight he's also probably about 20+ pounds heavier than most of the other 13yo's. There's a kid that plays for the Philadelphia Hockey Club that has been bigger, stronger, and faster than the other kids every year. Every year the gap gets smaller though between him and his peers. How can they be so certain about Bedard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puck Head Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Christ...this is the same age my kid is. We see some extremely talented 05's out there. Have not heard about this one yet but man...this is the 1st year that he's been involved in hitting. At his weight he's also probably about 20+ pounds heavier than most of the other 13yo's. There's a kid that plays for the Philadelphia Hockey Club that has been bigger, stronger, and faster than the other kids every year. Every year the gap gets smaller though between him and his peers. How can they be so certain about Bedard? Agreed, a former player of mine is playing for Little Cesar?s 04. They are ranked 1 in the nation, he?s their best player, and probably considered a top 10 in his birth year. That being said, last year as a first year bantam with team Illinois, he was 5?10 and 170....and was a man against boys. This year as a bantam, 6? 175 (working with a trainer)....and eventually that massive size difference will go away Sent from my iPhone using Blueshirts Brotherhood mobile app powered by Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Agreed, a former player of mine is playing for Little Cesar’s 04. They are ranked 1 in the nation, he’s their best player, and probably considered a top 10 in his birth year. That being said, last year as a first year bantam with team Illinois, he was 5’10 and 170....and was a man against boys. This year as a bantam, 6’ 175 (working with a trainer)....and eventually that massive size difference will go away Sent from my iPhone using Blueshirts Brotherhood mobile app powered by Tapatalk Interesting. There is an 04 from my club that just joined that team this season too. He is a stud as well. That team must be ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puck Head Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Interesting. There is an 04 from my club that just joined that team this season too. He is a stud as well. That team must be ridiculous. Compuware i believe was suppose to be the stronger team. He was offered to play there for free, but they do school online rather than attend public school. So he opted to play for Ceasers and attend high school as a freshman. He?s kind of been tearing it up with his two linemates. Definitely on track for USNDP Sent from my iPhone using Blueshirts Brotherhood mobile app powered by Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Christian Koscis is the kid from my club that's there. I wonder if they're on the same line. Would be kind of funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puck Head Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Christian Koscis is the kid from my club that's there. I wonder if they're on the same line. Would be kind of funny. Just spoke to the dad Vansickle (kid i coached) and someone named Nazar are carrying the team with 50pts each. They are both wingers. Right now the team is ranked 1 in USA, and just tied the number 1 ranked 04 team in Canada. Koscis in the 2nd line center. He said if they moved him up to 1st line they?d have the best top line in NA Sent from my iPhone using Blueshirts Brotherhood mobile app powered by Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.