Bedard inspired by late grandfather as he approaches 2023 NHL Draft

REGINA, Saskatchewan --The relationship Connor Bedard had with his grandfather, Garth, will always remain prominent in the heart of the projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft.

It's what motivates him to work even harder to become the best he can be. Garth Bedard died in a car accident April 6, 2021, at the age of 73.
"I think he was always in a good mood, always happy and willing to try anything," Bedard, a forward for Regina of the Western Hockey League, told NHL.com last week. "It was just his positive outlook on the world and on people. He'd always make friends with everyone. It was pretty crazy to be at the grocery store and he'd stay there for an extra half-hour, talking to someone about cards or sports.
"How hard he worked in his job; he was a logger like my dad and that's a tough job but he did it until the day he died. He loved it. Every day, he'd get up early and go to work, but I loved his mindset that he had on the world."

Bedard scored two goals in a 2-1 overtime win against Brandon on April 9, 2021, three days after his grandfather died. He was named the game's First Star and

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"I don't wear anything that was his, but I'm always thinking about him," Bedard said. "I think he's definitely someone I play for now. During the Canadian (national) anthem before each game, he's someone I'm thinking about. Hopefully he's still watching. ... He loved to watch hockey. I hope I'm making him proud."
There's no question Garth is smiling down on his grandson, who leads the WHL with 123 points (59 goals, 64 assists) in 47 games. He has 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists) during a 10-game point streak.
Bedard, No. 1 in NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of North American skaters presented by BioSteel, discussed his shot, superstitions, Connor McDavid's impact and more in a Q&A with NHL.com:
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid leads the NHL with 53 goals with 18 regular-season games remaining. Do you think he will score 65 this season?
"I think he'll push for 70. He seems kind of superhuman with the things he's doing on a nightly basis. He's special to watch and is going to go down as one of the greatest ever. I think he'll say it's not on his mind, and I believe that because he just wants to win. But once he gets close, it'll be a number he wants. He's had five straight multigoal games, the third guy ever to do that. He's scoring at an insane pace, and I feel with his competitiveness and everything else, he'll break 70. I think just his dominance in the NHL is probably second to no athlete in the world in my opinion. Obviously, there are so many unbelievable players playing, but I think just what he's been able to do in his career has been remarkable."
It's no secret the most talked-about part of your game is your shot. When you're set to take a shot, is it more about where the puck is on the blade or when it's released?
"I think it's more the release. I feel depending on what type of shot you're taking you want it to be in a spot. Sometimes you're shooting off your heels. Sometimes the puck's kind of middle of your stick, so I think every guy is different and it's whatever makes them comfortable. I have my own sort of ways."
What game outside of hockey are you better at: pingpong, pickleball or golf?
"I think maybe pingpong. My pickleball game is probably a little better than golf. I'm an OK golfer, kind of in the 90s. Not great, but I think I'm more decent at the other two."

If you were told you can only use one skill set you possess for one game, what would it be?
"I think my hockey IQ. I feel like that's something I take pride in. With my game, I want to make plays. I want to be creative and try to make things happen, and obviously that's not always going to work. But I feel like if I'm seeing the ice and kind of trying to make plays, that's when I'm at my best."
At what point in your career did you feel you can think this game two or three moves ahead, as a chess player would?
"I think I always wanted to kind of have my head up, that sort of thing. I feel like for myself, my training, when I was young it was just going out and playing 2-on-2 with friends, and I think that helped me a lot with creativity because you're always in a bit of a game situation even though you're just having fun. I think that has kind of helped me with that sort of stuff."
Is there an NHL record you feel will never be broken?
"I think Wayne Gretzky's record for career points (2,857) is a tough one, but you can never say never on some records. I mean, Alex Ovechkin is close to the career record for goals, but there's so many great players who are playing now. It's tough to say that none will ever be broken, but I think if you ask anyone, that Gretzky point total would be a pretty tough one, for sure."
Do you have any superstitions?
"Well, my whole day is exactly the same on game days. The way I do everything is very similar. I think if you watch my warmup, or watch my warmup off the ice, it's always the same kind of patterns. I always put my stick in the same spot, same way, before taping it. I could definitely have a pretty good list (of superstitions). Most times I'll put on left skate first, right skate second, but for practices I go right skate first, left skate second."
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