The Regina Pats, without playing a game, could stake a claim to possibly the biggest win of the year.
On Wednesday, the WHL’s draft lottery awarded the Swift Current Broncos with the first overall pick, but they traded it to Lethbridge at the trade deadline in 2018. The Hurricanes traded it to Regina in November of 2018.
And now the Pats get their hands on a generational talent.
Not 24 hours before the draft, Connor Bedard was granted exceptional status, a first in the Western Hockey League. That means the 15-year-old can play a full season in major junior hockey. Every other 15-year-old can only play five games until their 16th birthday.
Bedard has dominated everywhere he has played, even stepping above his age range last season to lead the league in goals and points and be named the league’s most valuable player.
He is just that good.
And thanks to some foresight, good luck and a historic ruling, Regina Pats fans have some exciting hockey ahead for the next three seasons, at least.