Pats’ Bedard invited to camp

Regina Pats centre Connor Bedard stands out among the 113 players from across the country who were invited Wednesday by Hockey Canada to participate in a summer development camp for the national under-17 program.

Bedard, who turns 15 on July 17, was the only underage player named to the camp, which is to be held virtually from July 19 to 25 due to COVID-19.

The 113 players (12 goalies, 37 defencemen and 64 forwards) will be split into six teams for the camp, participating in a variety of sessions with a focus on player development through online education.

Each of those players will be vying for a spot on one of Canada’s three rosters (Team White, Team Red and Team Black) for the 2020 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The annual tournament is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 7 in Charlottetown and Summerside, P.E.I.

The three Canadian head coaches are Kelly Buchberger of the WHL’S Tri-city Americans (Team White), Stéphane Julien of the QMJHL’S Sherbrooke Phoenix (Team Black) and Chris Lazary of the OHL’S Saginaw Spirit (Team Red).

Barring a delay due to COVID -19, Bedard is slated to debut in Regina this fall as the WHL’S only full-time 15-year-old player.

Earlier this spring, he became the first player from Western Canada to be granted exceptional status for early entry into the major-junior ranks.

The North Vancouver product was selected first overall by Regina in the 2020 WHL bantam draft.

Meanwhile, Pats prospect Matthew Kieper of Winnipeg and Kamloops Blazers prospect Dylan Ernst of Weyburn were among the goalies invited to the under-17 camp.

They’re joined by Regina-born forward Kyren Gronick, who’s a prospect of the Prince George Cougars.