BC Hockey Announces Exceptional Player Status for Connor Bedard
March 25, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Saanichton, B.C. - BC Hockey has announced today the results of the review by Hockey Canada that Connor Bedard (North Vancouver, B.C.) has been granted exceptional player status and therefore is eligible to play in the Western Hockey League (WHL) as a 15-year-old.
Exceptional player status is granted to a player whose qualities not only on the ice, but as a person, deem the player deserving of the rare privilege of participating in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) at an early age. Consideration of such status is only granted to a player whose ongoing development is more likely to be significantly enhanced by playing in the CHL as a 15-year-old than by participating in his designated age division next season.
The review process was administered by BC Hockey with a Hockey Canada Special Evaluation Panel assembled to evaluate Bedard's potential in the areas of hockey skills, academic ability, and his mental and physical maturity.
Born July 17, 2005, Bedard is a 5-foot-8, 165-pound forward who played for West Vancouver Academy's U18 team in the Canadian Sports School Hockey League (CSSHL) last season, where he scored 43 goals and 41 assists for 84 points in 36 games.
"BC Hockey would like to congratulate Connor on being announced as the first player from Western Canada to be granted exceptional status in the CHL and WHL," said BC Hockey Chief Executive Officer Barry Petrachenko. "Throughout the evaluation process, Connor has displayed the tremendous potential he has both mentally and physically to be able to be granted exceptional status."
Bedard becomes the first person to gain exceptional status for eligibility in the WHL. The WHL Bantam Draft is set for April 22, 2020. There have been five (5) players granted exceptional status in the Ontario Hockey League (John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Sean Day, and Shane Wright) along with one (1) in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (Joe Veleno).
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from March 25, 2020
- Americans Select Rios, Picard in 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Tri-City Americans
- Rebels Select Pair of Minnesota Players in Inaugural U.S. Prospects Draft - Red Deer Rebels
- ICE Select Jayson Shaugabay and Beckett Hendrickson in WHL US Prospect Draft. - Winnipeg Ice
- Winterhawks Select Two in U.S. Prospects Draft - Portland Winterhawks
- Hitmen Make Two Picks in 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Calgary Hitmen
- Cougars Select a Pair of Players in Inaugural U.S. Prospects Draft - Prince George Cougars
- Chiefs Pick McIntosh-Asgard and Hupka in WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Spokane Chiefs
- Wheat Kings Select Two Forwards in WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Blades Select Buium, Fields in Inaugural U.S. Prospects Draft - Saskatoon Blades
- Royals Select Alexander Young & Jackson Foddrill in WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Victoria Royals
- T-Birds Select Landon Dauner and Drew Mackie in WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Western Hockey League Completes 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - WHL
- Rockets make a pair of selections at 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Kelowna Rockets
- Oil Kings Select Georgaklis, Novak in 2020 WHL US Prospects Draft - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Warriors Select Two Forwards in Inaugural WHL US Prospects Draft - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Tigers Select Two Players in Inaugural WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Broncos Add Two Prospects in U.S. Prospects Draft - Swift Current Broncos
- Kamloops Blazers Select Two Players in WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Kamloops Blazers
- Hurricanes Select Tobey, Bassen in WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Raiders Select Sluys, Stewart in U.S. Prospects Draft - Prince Albert Raiders
- Giants Select Forward Duncan Shin in Round 2 of the 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Pats Take Michels and Young in the 2020 WHL US Prospects Draft - Regina Pats
- Giants Select D-Man Philippe Blais-Savoie in Round 1 of the 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Vancouver Giants
- Rebels Take Sawchyn First Overall In U.S. Prospects Draft - Red Deer Rebels
- Americans to Select Fourth Overall in 2020 WHL Bantam Draft - Tri-City Americans
- Cougars Win WHL Bantam Draft Lottery - Prince George Cougars
- Regina Pats Hold First-Overall Selection Following WHL Bantam Draft Lottery - WHL
- Blades to Select 5th Overall in 2020 WHL Bantam Draft - Saskatoon Blades
- Pats to Pick First Overall in 2020 WHL Bantam Draft - Regina Pats
- Wheat Kings Will Select #17 & #28 in 2020 WHL U.S. Prospects Draft - Brandon Wheat Kings
- On this Day: March 25, 2005 - Portland Winterhawks
- BC Hockey Announces Exceptional Player Status for Connor Bedard - WHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
