Bedard won't play for Canada at World Championship

Connor Bedard won't suit up for Team Canada at the upcoming 2023 IIHF World Championship, reports Sportsnet's Jeff Marek.

The 17-year-old phenom was considered an option for Canada at the tournament, which begins May 12 in Latvia and Finland.

Bedard is the consensus favorite to be selected first overall at the 2023 NHL Draft. He recorded 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 regular-season games with the WHL's Regina Pats this season. He added 20 points in seven playoff contests before the Pats were eliminated.

The North Vancouver, British Columbia, product represented Canada at the world juniors this year, taking home MVP honors after registering 23 points in seven games en route to a gold medal.

Bedard wouldn't have been the first top draft-eligible prospect to play for Canada at the World Championship. Owen Power was the most recent to do so in 2021.