Connor Bedard's mom sheds light him as he prepares for the NHL Draft - "He hasn't eaten at McDonalds" 

Melanie Bedard, the mother of Connor Bedard, shared her unique perspective on watching her son not only play hockey but also become a celebrity at 17 years old. She lives with Connor in Regina, where he plays for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League, while her husband and daughter remain in their primary residence in North Vancouver.

Despite her son's impressive hockey achievements, Melanie doesn't keep score in the traditional sense.

"I honestly just don't look at it that way, maybe because he's my son and we just want him to enjoy what he's doing," she said.

Bedard led all players at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) and was named the tournament's top forward and most valuable player, helping Canada win a second straight gold medal.

Melanie hopes her son is enjoying the game and not feeling all the pressure that comes with being a high-profile athlete.

"When I watch him play, as a mom it's hard for me to really enjoy it because I'm always thinking, 'I hope he doesn't feel all this pressure' and is just out there having fun," she said. "I don't ever want to say I don't enjoy watching it, but I definitely feel the pressure when I'm watching and I just hope I'm feeling that for him, and he's the one just enjoying it."

Despite the added pressure that comes with being a highly touted prospect, Connor Bedard remains grounded and appreciative of his family.

"My dad is my hero and someone I look up to so much, and I wouldn't be anywhere without him, my mom and my sister," he said. "They're the reason I'm here."

Melanie is proud of her son not only for his hockey skills but also for how he handles himself off the ice.

"He handled it very well," Melanie said of a recent signing event that lasted 5 1/2 hours for Bedard, Regina's captain. "He said people stood in that line just waiting. I was happy that he thought of it that way ... looking at it from other people's perspective. It's something he's good at."

Despite the attention he receives, Connor Bedard understands the importance of privacy for his family.

"In those moments, Connor might just come inside and say, 'Mom, can you close the blinds?' I think he knows if he starts engaging there, he's not going to have any sort of privacy. I felt that was really mature of him to know that and I think it's really important that he knew that because you want a place where you can just come home every so often."

When he is home, Connor Bedard likes to eat well, something his mother is proud of.

"He's never had fast food ... he will at some point, but he hasn't eaten at McDonald's or anything yet," Melanie said. "I think we all know when we eat well, how you feel, and then when we kind of go off the rails. I think he's just aware of that feeling. On game days, he'll eat chicken, rice, vegetable, shrimp, mashed yams, chicken, salmon. It's kind of a rotation."

The Columbus Blue Jackets sit as the favorite to land Connor Bedard

Connor Bedard, a top prospect for the 2023 NHL Draft, could be an excellent fit for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team has a strong track record of developing young players and boasts a roster filled with promising prospects. This focus on player development would provide Bedard with an ideal environment to improve his skills and refine his game.

Furthermore, Connor Bedard will have the opportunity to play alongside Johnny Gaudreau, a perfect wingmate. The passionate and dedicated fan base in Columbus could also serve as a source of support and inspiration for Bedard as he enters the NHL.