Is Connor Bedard Playing in the World Juniors
Is Connor Bedard playing in the World Juniors? No. The 20-year-old star has aged out of eligibility for the under-20 tournament. Born in 2005, Bedard now plays for the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL instead of competing in junior hockey. His World Junior days are behind him, but his hockey career is just getting started at the professional level.
Why Bedard can't play in the World Juniors anymore
The World Junior Championship only allows players under 20 years old to compete. Bedard turned 20 during the 2024-25 season, which made him ineligible for future tournaments. The age cutoff keeps things fair for younger players who are still developing their skills. Since he already plays in the NHL, he moved past junior hockey eligibility rules anyway. His professional status and age mean he belongs with men's teams now, not youth tournaments (even if he could still dominate them).
His record-breaking junior career
Bedard absolutely dominated the World Juniors in 2022 and 2023. At just 16 years old, he broke Wayne Gretzky's record for most goals by a player that age at the tournament. He set a world record for points by anyone under 19, earning gold with Canada both years. That 2023 performance was insane - 25 points in a single tournament. Those performances made him the obvious first-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, no question.
What Bedard is doing now in the NHL
Currently with the Blackhawks, Bedard ranks among the league's top young scorers. In recent stretches, he's putting up impressive numbers with six goals and seven assists over his last ten games. Analysts praise his dynamic offensive skills, especially that signature curl-and-drag shot. Despite some defensive questions early in his carreer, Bedard's offensive impact on Chicago is undeniable (seriously, the guy can score from anywhere).
Where Bedard plays next for Team Canada
Fans should look toward the 2026 Winter Olympics instead of the World Juniors for Bedard's next international appearance. He's now a strong candidate for Canada's senior team roster at the Olympics. Moving from junior competitions to Olympic hockey represents the natural progression for elite young players. Bedard proved himself at every level, and the Olympics offer the next stage for his international hockey journey.
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