''After the game, Paddock and coach Dave Struch brought Connor into an office where Tom, Melanie, and Madisen had called in on speakerphone. The team booked Connor the next flight at 6 a.m. the next day so he could join his family, but Connor balked. There was a game later that week and he intended to be there.
''Grandpa would want me to play'' he said.
Three nights later, Connor score an overtime goal to beat the division-leading Bradon Wheat Kings. As his Pats teammates swarmed the ice, Connor pumped his right fist and pointed to the sky. His eyes welled as he spoke about his grandfather to the media Zoom afterward.
''He's definitely who I play for now and will for the rest of my life'', Connor said. ''I know he's watching me.''
Connor Bedard broke record everywhere he's gone with that determination, will he keep it going as the game's highest-level?