(Halifax) Connor Bedard was unaware of the tweet.
A genius with the puck, capable of ridiculing his opponents at any time, the talented 17-year-old is focused solely on the World Junior Hockey Championship.
He is also about to rewrite the Canadian record books at this event.
And one of the greats of hockey that Bedard has just equaled is aware of it.
“Don’t just break the record,” Eric Lindros wrote on social media on Sunday. “Spray it! »
Bedard tied Lindros’ career mark of 31 points in the men’s under-20 event. In the current edition, he amassed 18 points in just four games and demonstrated the extent of his talent through his speed, his skills with the puck and his creativity.
The native of North Vancouver, British Columbia collected his 31 points in just 13 games. Lindros, himself a dominant player and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, had needed 21 games to reach that plateau.
” It is rather cool that he even knows who I am, launched Bedard with a smile after learning of the existence of the tweet. It’s great to hear that. And that he wants me to beat him, that’s cool.
“There are still a few games left, so hopefully I can do it. »
That quest will continue on Monday, when the tournament hosts take on Slovakia in the quarter-finals at the Scotiabank Centre.
Not only does Bedard now sit alongside Lindros, but he also tied Jordan Eberle for the most career goals by a Canadian at the World Junior Championship, with 14.
The list of exploits does not stop there.
Bedard, tipped to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, tied Dale McCourt and Brayden Schenn for the most points by a Canadian in a single tournament.
He also tied Jaromir Jagr for most points by a player 18 or younger.
“It’s incredible to play with him,” said Canadian defender Ethan del Mastro. And it would be quite difficult to play against him. »
Slovakia will try their luck on Monday.
Selected by the New Jersey Devils second overall in the 2022 auction, defenseman Simon Nemec said his team would look to make life difficult for Bedard, who had an assist and four minor penalties in a a preparatory match between the two countries.
“He’s the best player here,” admitted Nemec, the tournament leader in ice time with an average of more than 26 minutes per game. “We have to skate with him, we have to be closer to him.
“He’s strong, but physical play isn’t his cup of tea. »
Shane Wright, captain of the Maple Leaf, said vision and his ability to fool rivals may be among Bedard’s greatest attributes.
“He’s amazing,” said the Seattle Kraken’s fourth pick in the 2022 draft.
“The way he sees the game going, it’s almost like everyone is moving slower than him. He reads the game so well. He understands the script, understands what is happening around him.
“Pretty impressive. »
Eric Lindros — and countless others — won’t be able to look away until then.