Which is why Bedard, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, listens when Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid talks.
"He's someone that I recommend listening to, how well he's done," Bedard said on the "NHL Draft Class" podcast.
McDavid, the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, was asked on the
"NHL @TheRink" podcast
what advice he would give to Bedard. McDavid said for him, it was about developing the confidence that his style of play would work at the NHL level.
After McDavid skated with Bedard during the offseason at a BioSteel camp in Toronto, he said Bedard might not need that adjustment.
"He's taking on (Colorado Avalanche defenseman) Cale Makar and it was a 2-on-1, and he was shooting and not passing to (Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby)," McDavid said. "He definitely doesn't lack confidence. I don't think he's going to have an issue."
Bedard said that maybe in hindsight he should have passed on that 2-on-1. But being on the ice with NHL players in the past, either near his home in Vancouver or at the BioSteel camps, has been invaluable in growing his game.
"I've skated with NHL players for a while now and that gives you confidence not passing on a 2-on-1, which I probably should," he said. "I think that confidence of being with guys in Vancouver, going to Toronto and seeing McDavid working out, it just makes you feel comfortable. They're just human beings that are unbelievable at a sport. It's that part that's fun and that helps the confidence."
Bedard leads the Western Hockey League with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 15 games with Regina, and the forward received an A rating from NHL Central Scouting in its
preliminary players to watch list
. He also discussed his expectations for the season, how he handles being in the spotlight, his preferred stick flex and where he gets his work ethic from.
The podcast is free, and listeners can subscribe on all podcast platforms, including iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts. It also is available on
NHL.com/multimedia/podcasts
and the NHL app.
Photo: Keith Hershmiller/Regina
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Listen: New episode of NHL Draft Class
