den highlight Connor Bedard had saved for the final third. It was Tuesday, in a friendly against Switzerland. Canada’s Under-20 team was leading 5-0 when Bedard ran wide down right. And when everyone thought he was going to run around and get to the other end, he just played the puck behind his back without looking at teammate Shane Wright, who just had to zero out. What followed was the usual: exultant fans, amazed journalists, enthusiasm on social media.
This is how things should continue when the U20 World Cup kicks off in Canada on Boxing Day. Then this 17-year-old Connor Bedard should charm the ice hockey world. And he should give back to the homeland fans of this sport the pleasure of meeting the best youngsters. It had recently been lost: last year’s World Cup was canceled due to coronavirus outbreaks, and the recovered tournament in August was overshadowed by the disclosure of the abuse scandal at a association event in 2018. The policy and the judiciary became involved, the grandstands went empty, and the Hockey Canada board of directors resigned. While the investigation is still ongoing, Canadian fans seem ready to enjoy the World Cup again. One reason: Bedard, the greatest ice hockey talent in the world for years.
