Connor Bedard Continues Dominant Roll at World Juniors

Connor Bedard was just getting started when the 2022 World Junior Championship was originally cancelled back in December. Through two games in that tournament, Bedard recorded five points in two games including a four-goal effort against Austria. Bedard (16 years old at the time) to record a hat trick at the World Juniors since Wayne Gretzky. It was the type of performance people were expecting when the tournament began.

Connor Bedard is Not Afraid To Shoot

Through two games of the 2022 World Junior Championship 2.0, Bedard has picked up right where he left off. The projected number one pick in the 2023 NHL Draft has four points including two highlight reel goals to open the scoring in the first two games for Team Canada.

Connor Bedard opens the scoring for Canada 🚨#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/q24ZvG9mKg

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 11, 2022

This is the kind of performance many expected entering this year’s tournament considering what he has done on the International stage in 2022 for Team Canada. Dating back to the 2021 U18 tournament Bedard has recorded 25 points (15 goals and 10 assists). Not to mention what he did in the WHL with the Regina Pats scoring 51 goals in 62 games.

Even though the World Juniors is considered a 19-year-old tournament, you can’t deny what Bedard is doing as an underage player at this tournament. Any time Bedard puts on the Canadian sweaters all he does is score goals. His shot is one of the best in the tournament. And he knows when to make the proper adjustments if he misses. Not to mention he will only get better as he continues to improve his game.

Le premier but de notre tournoi est inscrit par… Connor Bedard!#MondialJuniorpic.twitter.com/XEL8t9emdc

— Hockey Canada FR (@HockeyCanada_fr) August 10, 2022

“It is impressive. His release is like no other, said teammate Lukas Cormier when asked to describe Connor Bedard’s shot. “The way he just picks corners with that release is really impressive. You can’t really teach that. I’m sure it was a lot of practice from him. It is fun to see.”

His drag shot has been compared to Auston Matthews’s drag shot. That’s a great comparison. Only time will tell if it will translate to the next level. However, Bedard will definitely be able to add to his scoring totals at the World Juniors as he most likely will represent Canada again in December in Halifax and Moncton.

Around Full Press Hockey

WJC: Luke Hughes Shines As Team USA Dominates Germany

WJC: Team Canada Favored To Win 2022 World Junior Championship

NHL: What the Islanders Do Next All Falls on Lou Lamoriello

NFL: Best Bets For 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year

Full Press Bets: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored

PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 37: NHL Free Agency Recap

Doing the Little Things Right

While he does not have a multi-goal game just yet, he has been all around the net. Not to mention he is making the smart play to put his teammates in a position to score. A case in point, on Mason MacTavish’s hat-trick goal in the second period against Slovakia.

After Slovakia turned the puck over in the neutral zone, Bedard skated the puck toward Slovakia’s zone. Before he could make it to the offensive zone, Bedard was hit. However, before he got it, Bedard passed the puck up to Joshua Roy, who sent the puck over to MacTavish to make it 8-1 for Canada. As Bedard showed doing the little things such as taking a hit to make a play will go a long way in a short tournament. It shows the leadership it takes to win along with the selfishness to do the right thing for the betterment of the team.

Canada moves to 2-0 in Group A play at the 2022 World Junior Championship. As they move forward, look for Connor Bedard to continue to make an impact as Canada looks to recapture the gold.