Excitement building around Pats’ opener, Bedard debut

Nearly one year after Connor Bedard was drafted, WHL fans will get their first opportunity to see him suit up Friday.

Bedard is one of the most highly touted prospects in the league’s history. He was the first WHL player ever to be granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada so he can play in all games as a 15-year-old.

He was taken by the Regina Pats first overall in the 2020 WHL bantam draft. Due to the COVID pandemic and the WHL having a delayed start, he spent some time in Sweden playing with the HV71 junior hockey program.

But with the WHL season finally dropping the puck, Bedard is excited to hit the ice for the first time with the Pats.

“(I’ve) been anticipating it for a while and thought a while ago we were going to get it going, but to finally get on the team and see everyone, it’s been good,” Bedard told media earlier in the week.

“(There are) a lot of nerves and a lot of excitement. For all of us, it’s been a while since we’ve played. I’ve played a few games but kind of getting back out there, I don’t really know what to expect since I haven’t played in the league yet.”

The team was able to get in its first on-ice practice on March 5 in the bubble after each player received two negative COVID tests as a part of the WHL’s protocols. That means for the first time, many of Bedard’s teammates got to see his skills first-hand.

“He’s definitely got a wicked shot. He’s definitely a guy, especially in battle drills, you’re always looking out for him with that skill set he has and just the way he thinks about the game allows the guys on his line to succeed. Even what he brings to the dressing room, he acts mature for a 15-year-old and he’s like an old guy on the team right now,” said defenceman Ryker Evans.

The Pats are to open their 2021 season against the Prince Albert Raiders on Friday at 8 p.m. at the Brandt Centre as a part of the league’s hub.

While the Pats want to win as many games as they can during the upcoming season, head coach Dave Struch says that’s not the only goal.

“We have a large number of first-year guys. The growth as a group is really important. Our young guys know they will become the leaders of this team in the future but the combined growth with our leadership group and these young guys we feel should give us more wins than we’ve had in the past if you go on par with a full season,” Struch said.

And now three years removed from a trip to the Memorial Cup, general manager John Paddock is excited to see how this team performs.

“We’re starting to see the future now rather than hoping for it or waiting for a draft so we’re excited by this combination of players that should only get better,” Paddock said.