Regina Pats’ Connor Bedard becomes 8th U18 WHL player in history to score 60 goals in one season

Regina Pats’ phenom Connor Bedard notched his 60th goal tonight in just 49 games this season. That marks the first time in 24 years that milestone has been achieved. Wow!

Bedard who is unanimously projected as the number one overall pick for the 2023 NHL Draft becomes just the 8th under-18 player in WHL history to score 60 goals in a season. Others include former Seattle Thunderbirds forward Glen Goodall scored 63 during the 1986-87 season, Dale Derkatch scored 62 goals with the Pats in 1981-82, Spokane Chiefs forward Pat Falloon scored 60 in the 1989-90 season, Prince Albert Raiders forward Dave Pasin scored 68 in 1983-84, Swift Current Broncos legend Joe Sakic scored 60 in 1986-87, New Westminster Bruins Cliff Ronning who scored 69 in 1983-84 and Pavel Brendl of the Calgary Hitmen who scored 73 in 1998-99. 

Earlier this season, he notched 50 goals in 40 games; only Jock Callander who scored 50 goals in 39 games hit the mark faster since the Pats joined the WHL in 1966.

Last season, Bedard became the first Pats player since Mike Sillinger to register 50 goals when he recorded 51. The last Pats player to tally 60 goals was Ronald Petrovicky in 1997-98. The Pats’ record for most goals in a season belongs to former 1980 first-overall pick Doug Wickenheiser who scored 89 goals during the 1979-80 campaign. 

Bedard now sits at 60 goals and 64 assists for 124 points in 49 games. His career totals now sit at 123 goals and 129 assists for 252 points in 117 career WHL regular season games.