'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard announced on Saturday that he will suit up for Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Czechia.
The 18-year-old Bedard recently completed his rookie season with 22 goals and 61 points for the Blackhawks. Now, he's set to represent Canada on the world stage at the senior level for the first time.
The news sparked excitement amongst hockey fans, with one fan commenting on social media,
"Bedard-McDavid-Crosby." A dream-forward line.
Another fan expressed confidence in winning the gold medal for Team Canada with Bedard joining in:
"Just give em gold now."
Here are some other fan reactions:
"Snipers help a lot at this tournament since the defense is usually tight but the goaltending isn't quite at NHL level so a sniper can sometimes score from the outside or farther away. Glad to have McCann and Bedard on board." One fan wrote on X.
"Crosby incoming!!!" One fan wrote.
"Good for him. He wants to keep playing hockey while the playoffs are going on." a user wrote on X.
"Let’s goooo." One fan wrote.
Bedard is no stranger to dominating the ice-court while wearing the Team Canada jersey. At the 2022 World Juniors in Edmonton, he tied Eric Lindros' Canadian record for most goals in a game with four. He helped lead Canada to gold and was named the tournament's top forward.
In 2023, Bedard shattered records at the World Juniors in Halifax. He set a new Canadian mark for most points in a single tournament, with an astounding nine goals and 23 points over seven games. His MVP and top forward honors led Canada to back-to-back gold medals.
Connor Bedard on playing for Team Canada
Connor Bedard shared his excitement about joining Team Canada at the upcoming 2024 IIHF World Championship.
"That's something I'm pretty excited about, to get the opportunity to play," said Connor Bedard on Saturday to NHL.com. "A year and a bit ago, I was playing for my country every couple of months (as a junior player). It's been a while since I got that chance. I'm looking forward to that."
Bedard also joked about facing his Blackhawks teammates at the tournament.
"Me and [linemate Philipp Kurashev, who will play for Switzerland] were talking. Our main goal is to score on [teammate Petr] Mrazek [of Czechia] in the Championships. Stuff like that is always fun."
The 2024 IIHF World Championship will run from May 10th to May 26th in Czechia. All tournament games will be available to watch on TSN and NHL Network.
