Connor Bedard first Pats player to be drafted 1st overall since 1980

Connor Bedard is the first member of the Regina Pats to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft since Doug Wickenheiser in 1980.

Connor Bedard is the first member of the Regina Pats to be selected first overall in the NHL Draft since Doug Wickenheiser in 1980.

To the surprise of virtually no one, the Chicago Blackhawks called Bedard’s name with the first overall pick in Nashville, Tenn. on Wednesday evening.

Bedard has been the projected first overall pick since his rookie season with the Pats in 2021, when he became the first player in Western Hockey League (WHL) history to be given exceptional status allowing him to play full-time in the league as a 15-year-old.

Other than Bedard and Wickenheiser, Greg Joly is the only other Pats alumnus to be selected first overall.

In 1974, Joly went first overall to the Washington Capitals and first overall to Phoenix in the World Hockey Association's Secret Amateur Draft.

In three seasons with the Pats, Bedard has amassed 134 goals, 137 assists and 271 points in 134 regular season games. He added 20 more points in seven playoff games this past spring.

Bedard also won two gold medals with Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships, putting up 31 points in 14 tournament games combined over two events.