Connor Bedard‘s season is not quite over, with the Chicago Blackhawks rookie forward confirming Saturday he will suit up for Canada at the upcoming World Hockey Championship in Czechia.
Bedard’s last year and a half have been a whirlwind, with the native of North Vancouver, B.C., leading Canada to a gold medal at the world junior tournament, getting selected first overall by Chicago at the NHL Draft, and then beginning his pro career in the Windy City.
This will be the fifth time the 18-year-old has represented his country, having done so twice at the U18 level and twice more at the World Juniors. His participation should lead to more speculation about his inclusion on Canada’s roster for next winter’s Four Nations tournament against the U.S., Sweden, and Finland.
Bedard led all rookies in the NHL this season in goals (22), assists (39), and points (61), despite missing more than a month of play with a fractured jaw he suffered in early January.