An Inspirational Story About Connor Bedard Is Unveiled A Head Of The NHL Draft Lottery

We learned how Bedard is motivated to play for his grandfather, who was his biggest fan until he tragically passed away in a crash, «a car driven by an impaired driver collided head-on with Garth's pickup truck.'

Bedard's parents and the Pats' front office kept the news hidden from the forward because he was playing hours after the death notification his dad had received on the phone that day. After the game, in which Bedard scored two goals and added two assists, earning first star honors in Regina's 6-1 win over the Swift Current Broncos, the family told Connor about his grandpa Garth's death.

«After the game, Paddock and coach Dave Struch brought Connor into an office where Tom, Melanie and Madisen had called in on speakerphone. The team booked Connor a flight at 6 a.m. the next day so he could join his family, but Connor balked. There was a game later that week and he intended to be there.
«Grandpa would want me to play,» he said.
Three nights later, Connor scored an overtime goal to beat the division-leading Brandon Wheat Kings. As his Pats teammates swarmed the ice, Connor pumped his right fist and pointed to the sky. His eyes welled as he spoke about his grandfather to the media via Zoom afterward.

«He's definitely who I play for now and will for the rest of my life,» Connor said. «I know he's watching me.»

This is what drives this young player and you can't find anything purer than this.

He will be a star. And yes, Grandpa Garth will be watching.