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It's the biggest game of the season for many local WHL fans on Tuesday night.
Connor Bedard, the projected number one pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is making his first and only appearance in Kelowna this season, as his Regina Pats face off against the Rockets.
The projected #1 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft was in Kelowna on Monday, in preparation for the Rockets-Pats game on Tuesday.
— KelownaNow (@KelownaNow) November 28, 2022
Connor Bedard chatted with the media about his excitement for the sold-out crowd, and the close relationship between him and Andrew Cristall. pic.twitter.com/j59GfVyLFZ
The buzz around Bedard is palpable, so much so that Prospera Place sold out tickets for the game, for the first time in three years.
"It will be a lot of fun, you will be able to feel the energy in the building whenever you walk out there," said Bedard.
Bedard and his Pats, who are in the midst of a BC swing of games after playing in Langley and Victoria, is looking forward to playing in front of close friends and family.
"It is awesome, I will have family and friends coming to watch, but I am really enjoying it."
The 17-year-old North Vancouver native played the majority of his youth hockey career with Rockets ace Andrew Cristall. The two talk almost daily, checking in with one another.
Connor Bedard and @Kelowna_Rockets draft eligible forward Andrew Cristall meeting at Prospera Place. pic.twitter.com/BlbFPTPSlx
— Rocket Fan (@RocketFANdotca) November 28, 2022
"It is exciting, we will probably have dinner before the game," said Bedard. "I have been watching what he has been doing this year and we are super close, so getting the chance to compete against him is going to be a lot of fun."
The Pats forward leads the WHL in points with 53 points in 24 games, but Cristall isn't far behind, as he's second in the league with 39 points. While the two players aren't known for their physicality, Bedard won't shy away from laying a hit on his close friend if the opportunity arose.
"He won't be my friend tomorrow. Neither of us hit too much, but if I got him lined up, I will give him a run."
For Cristall, the opportunity to play in front of a sold out crowd is really exciting.
"It is definitely going to fire up everyone on our team," Cristall said. "We are going to be really juiced for the game."
Tickets for Tuesday's tilt are sold out, but you can listen to it live on 104.7 The Lizard.
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