TOP 100 21 AND UNDER: 1. CONNOR BEDARD

Sophomore slump? Not likely. Last year’s Calder winner did all he could to ensure he doesn’t take a step back but instead enters the echelon of superstars

BY MICHAEL TRAIKOS

POS: C | AGE: 19 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (NHL) DRAFT: 1ST, 2023 (CHI) IT WAS DURING A sit-down interview before the season began when Connor Bedard was asked how he hoped to avoid the dreaded sophomore jinx that has sabotaged many young players over the years. The 19-year-old laughed. You mean, things could actually get worse? In case you forgot, it’s not like the hockey gods were smiling down on Bedard in his rookie year. The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 had his jaw broken, lost a linemate to a season-ending injury and had his name dragged into an off-ice scandal involving another teammate. And that was just in the first three months. While juggling the media demands of a presidential candidate, Bedard spent the rest of the season taking his nightly lumps on a…

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The Hockey News (Digital) - 1 Issue, Prospects Unlimited 2024-25

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