Connor Bedard is proving he's not the next Gretzky — he's building a new definition of Canadian hockey greatness

For decades, every Canadian hockey prodigy has been introduced with the same impossible label, “the next Wayne Gretzky .” But Connor Bedard , at just 20 years old, is quietly dismantling that narrative. He’s not chasing Gretzky’s ghost; he’s building something that feels entirely new, a modern blueprint for greatness in a world where hockey, fame, and identity have all evolved.

From Wayne Gretzky’s legacy to Connor Bedard ’s new era of hockey genius
Wayne Gretzky’s game was built on grace and foresight, a soft-spoken intelligence that transformed hockey into poetry. Connor Bedard, by contrast, brings that same vision but in a faster, sharper, and more media-driven world. His release is electric, his pace relentless, and his confidence steady beyond his years. Yet what makes him truly unique isn’t just his skill, it’s his awareness of the conversation surrounding him.

Connor Bedard with an INSANE no-look backhand assist 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YNsF4KxZ6w

— NHL (@NHL) September 29, 2025

“I just try to be myself,” Bedard has often said when asked about comparisons to legends. And that statement isn’t modesty, it’s philosophy. Bedard’s path through the Regina Pats , the World Juniors, and now the Chicago Blackhawks has been marked by authenticity. He carries himself like a player born after the myth-making era of Gretzky and Crosby, one who sees fame not as pressure, but as part of the modern game.

The next one who refuses to be the next anyone

What makes Bedard so compelling is his ability to honor the sport’s history while refusing to repeat it. He studies Gretzky’s vision and Crosby’s leadership, but he’s carving his own style, faster, more instinctive, and deeply personal. His rise also coincides with a shift in how young stars connect with fans through social media, creating a more relatable form of superstardom.

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As Canada looks for its next generational hero, Bedard isn’t just carrying the torch, he’s reshaping what that torch looks like. He’s not the next Gretzky. He’s the first Connor Bedard and that might be exactly what hockey needs now.