‘We can make a kid’s day:’ Bedard proud of off-ice impact in Regina

While Regina Pats star Connor Bedard is now bringing smiles to the faces of many young hockey fans in Regina, he was once the wide-eyed player staring up at the pros.

“When I was seven or eight, we had (Vancouver Canucks defencemen Kevin) Bieksa and Dan Hamhuis come to a skate because one of the dads was friends with them or something and that was pretty cool,” the 17-year-old North Vancouver product told the Green Zone on Thursday. “I was passing the puck to them and I was probably annoying them a little bit.

“When you’re in the position I am and you get to give back in that way, you look back to when you were a kid and remember those times.”

Ty was in hockey heaven last when the @WHLPats surprised his OHL and he got to not only skate with and pass the puck around with but also meet his idol Connor Bedard!! He will never forget this night!! pic.twitter.com/1xDqzN70v1

— Me 🇺🇦 (@brat_dillon) February 9, 2023

The phenomenal Pats forward, along with his teammates, have been able to provide that same sort of experience for young skaters in Regina. There have been family skates held at the Brandt Centre with the team and the players have also shown up to some Ehrlo Sport Venture’s Outdoor Hockey League nights at an outdoor rink in the city.

“We can make a kid’s day and that’s pretty special to have that ability,” Bedard said. “All our guys get pretty excited when they see a kid fired up to see them.”

Bedard has reached superstar status in the WHL and the Queen City. He leads the WHL with 110 points and is the projected No. 1 pick in the NHL entry draft in April.

But while he’s making a big impact on the ice, it’s off of it where he does the work he’s most proud of.

“You want to give back. With gaining all the popularity, you can do it a little easier. I’ve signed a few jerseys for auctions and that sort of thing,” Bedard said. “That’s something really simple for myself to do to make a difference.

“That’s something I value in the Regina community — just try to give back and make the fan base remember me as a person as well as a hockey player and I have a lot of passion towards that.”

The “Bedard Bump” doesn’t just apply to the influx of fans to WHL rinks who want to get a glimpse of the talented player.

A SpongeBob SquarePants-themed jersey worn by Bedard was sold in an online auction for $13,025, with proceeds going to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation.

On the ice, Bedard and the Pats find themselves in the midst of an intensifying playoff race. Regina’s 6-3 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday was crucial, breaking a tie for sixth place in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. Only four points separate the Pats from the ninth-place Swift Current Broncos.

While Bedard will eventually be off to a bigger hockey market when his name gets called for the NHL draft, Regina will hold a special place in his heart — especially after he wasn’t dealt at the WHL trade deadline.

“It’s a very storied franchise and has been around for over 100 years, which is pretty crazy,” Bedard said. “It’s a great city and the community is so into it. The people are so nice here and that’s such a great thing. I’ve felt so welcomed here.

“Vancouver is not far but it’s different and you don’t know what people are going to think of you coming in, so that has been unbelievable. The coaching and the teammates and the organization have treated me very well. I’m super-grateful this is where I’ve gotten to play and continue to play.”