As 2023 approaches, a look back at some of the successes in Canadian sport warrants recognition of the exciting new stars of the future.
The Canadian Press dives into the Canadian stars of 2022 to watch in the years to come.
SUMMER MCINTOSH, SWIMMING
The Toronto native was no stranger in 2022, but McIntosh has brightened her star on just about every possible stage. After an Olympic performance that saw her finish fourth in two events last year, the 16-year-old picked up four medals (two gold, one silver, one bronze) at her first world championships . A few weeks later, McIntosh added six more Commonwealth Games medals (two gold, three silver, one bronze). With more world championships to come in July, McIntosh could be in contention for a few more medals as the Paris Olympics await him in 2024.
CONNOR BEDARD, HOCKEY
The 17-year-old, expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, burst onto the scene in the 2021-22 season playing for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League. After opening the 2021 portion of the season with 24 points in 24 games, Bedard had an impressive 76 points in 38 games to finish the season with 51 goals and 49 assists. He also helped Canada win gold at the 2022 World Junior Championship, recording eight points (four goals, four assists) in seven games. Bedard has only raised his game since then, with 27 goals and 64 points in 28 WHL games this season. He will help Canada try to retain its title at the 2023 world juniors.
BENNEDICT MATHURIN, BASKETBALL
The Montreal native surged through the college ranks after a strong 2020-21 freshman season at the University of Arizona, where he was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman team. In 2021-22, Mathurin increased his scoring average from 10.8 to 17.7 en route to being named Pac-12 Player of the Year, second-team All-American and a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award, given in most notable college basketball. player. Mathurin was drafted sixth overall by the Indiana Pacers in last summer’s NBA Draft and was among the league’s top rookies averaging 17.2 points per game.
CAMRYN ROGERS, HAMMER THROW
Coming off a fifth-place finish at the Tokyo Games and a third consecutive NCAA title, Rogers etched her name in the history books again in 2022. The native of Richmond, B.C. won Canada’s first medal at the world championships in track and field while becoming the first Canadian to win a world championship medal in the field, winning silver in July. Soon after, she added a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. With Canadian and NCAA records in hand, Rogers is entering his senior year at the University of California, Berkeley. And with another world championship approaching next summer, she may need room at home for more gear.
MIA VALLEY, DIVING
As Diving Canada expects to go through a period of transition after a few retirements, Vallée has emerged as the next potential star. The University of Miami star caused a stir in 2022, winning two Grand Prix medals before winning two more (one silver, one bronze) in his first world championships. Hailing from Vallée de Beaconsfield, Quebec, she followed that up with three Commonwealth Games medals, highlighted by a gold medal in the one-metre springboard. She will look to cement her position as one of the best in the world at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in July ahead of Paris 2024.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on December 24, 2022.
Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press
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