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Hockey’s most scrutinized teenager seeks the quiet life — for now.

Connor Bedard, the most hyped NHL prospect since that Connor, was finishing up his third season in junior hockey when I visited him in March. His team, the Regina Pats, is located in the broad plains of Saskatchewan, where the average winter temperature hovers around 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Against this unforgiving backdrop, the 17-year-old Vancouver native spends most of his time at the rink — which is where he and his teammates also take high school classes — or at home with his mother, Melanie, who temporarily relocated and rented an apartment to ensure her son retained some sort of normalcy.

For fun, Bedard and his buddies frequent the hockey shooting range, an indoor facility where they shoot pucks for a few hours. Sometimes they’ll visit the mall, where Bedard said they recently swung by the jewelry store for chains “just because. But I promise you it wasn’t anything too crazy.”

Bedard tries to stay out of public when he can, and as he gave me a tour in his off-roader SUV, bumping some top-40 music, it became apparent why. When he stopped at a red light, a car pulled up with four adults who recognized Bedard instantly. The driver honked and waved enthusiastically as the three passengers frantically fiddled with their phones to take photos. Bedard, clearly experienced with this exact scenario, politely smiled back.

“There’s a bit of buzz, and for me, it’s kind of crazy to see some of the things and people I’ve been compared to,” Bedard said. “It’s a lot different getting recognized out and about. It’s something I’m getting used to. It’s supercool feeling the support. But you know … I’m still a kid.”

He’s understating the buzz.

A winter Pats road trip drew sellouts at every arena, including the 17,000-seat Saddledome, home of the Calgary Flames. Cliff Mander, a Vancouver-based marketing executive, told the Global News that he estimated Bedard brought in $1.5 million to the Western Hockey League this season.

Just imagine when he actually goes pro.

This is the reality into which Bedard is starting to settle — even if the public perception doesn’t quite match how he feels.

“Going out and meeting kids, they’re excited and screaming about meeting you, you can kind of make their day or their week,” Bedard said. “But for me, when I go home and look in the mirror, I don’t really see a famous person. I just see the same guy I’ve always been.”


AS THE PRESUMPTIVE No. 1 pick of the 2023 NHL draft, Bedard will learn his professional fate Monday night, when the NHL holds its draft lottery (8 ET, ESPN). Teams across the league have been angling for better odds for nearly two years in hopes of landing Bedard’s generational talent.

Bedard, a center, is listed at 5-foot-10, which might be generous, but nothing about his game feels small. He is as deceptive as he is unpredictable, with a hockey IQ and vision for the game that can allow him to completely tilt the ice every time he jumps over the boards. But his most elite attribute is his shot.

“It’s remarkable to see,” said Oilers star Connor McDavid, who skated with Bedard a few times over the summer. “He shoots it so hard and with such a quick release.”

Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon was even more blunt: “His release is one of the best in the world now … at 17.”

The first time Bedard read about himself in the media was at age 12, when he did an interview with The Hockey News. “I thought it was pretty cool,” Bedard said. “All my friends were showing me and whatever. But yeah, it’s pretty young.”

At 14, he became the seventh player ever to earn “exceptional” status, which allowed him to compete at the highest level of Canadian Junior Hockey as an underage player. Wayne Gretzky called to congratulate him.

“I think it was him,” Bedard said. “I hope it wasn’t someone, you know, pulling a prank on me.”

By 16, Bedard was the youngest player in league history to score 50 goals. And if there was any doubt Bedard was atop what NHL evaluators have deemed an extremely deep first-round draft class, he quashed it with a banger of a 2023 world juniors tournament. Bedard led Canada to a gold medal while scoring 23 points in seven games, including a highlight-reel goal in overtime to beat Slovakia in the quarterfinals.

Bedard broke five records at the tournament, topping Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr and Eric Lindros in several categories.

“I’ve been going to that tournament for more than two decades,” one NHL scout told ESPN. “And what Connor Bedard did, especially with all of the attention and eyes on him, is as impressive of an individual performance as you’ll ever see. The only way I can describe it is pure dominance.”

The only person not gushing about Bedard is Bedard himself. The teenager is well-mannered and trained in dealing with the media, following the unwritten rules of hockey — thou shalt not talk about thyself — as if they are scripture. Good luck getting him to admit what the world has already assumed. Every conversation about Bedard’s NHL future includes qualifiers such as “if I am lucky enough to get drafted.”

“He doesn’t take for granted what other people are saying about him or what he’s accomplished,” Pats coach John Paddock said. “I’ve never heard him talk about being drafted No. 1, even though there’s probably not a person who thinks he won’t. But he knows what he wants to do and where he wants to go. And it’s all business all the time. It’s his routine, his habits, that all shine.”


BEDARD WAS BORN on July 17, 2005, just 13 days before his childhood idol, Sidney Crosby, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He began playing hockey at age 4 or 5. “Just stickhandling and shooting,” Bedard said. “Imagining Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final stuff, like any kid.”

Bedard also played soccer until he was 12, but then hockey became his full focus. His family learned to adjust.

“There was one time my sister really wanted to go to Hawaii,” Bedard said. “I told my parents I really didn’t want to because we were going to go for a week, and that’s a really long time without hockey.”

They compromised. “I went to the airport, got my ticket, and had a hockey bag,” Bedard said. “I probably looked like a bit of an idiot when I got there, but I got to rollerblade and stickhandle around the seawall.”

Bedard said he gets his work ethic from his father, Tom, a logger in Vancouver.

“He would kind of get up at 3, 4 in the morning and head to work,” Bedard said. “It was a three-hour drive, sometimes four. And then you’re in the mountain, climbing up there, cutting down trees. It’s a pretty physical job, and dangerous. He tells stories of people getting hurt. One time he broke his leg logging.”

When Tom Bedard would return home, he’d drive his son to hockey practice. On weekends, it was tournaments.

“Doing all of that, he was probably pretty tired,” Bedard said. “But he always had a positive attitude.”

The most prescient lesson passed down from father to son: Be where your feet are.

“He always said to never wish time away,” Bedard said. “He was always like, ‘Just enjoy right now and where you are right now, and before you know it whatever you are looking forward to will have happened.'”


CONNOR BEDARD IS a student of the game. He says he watches Auston Matthews goals on YouTube, then tries to replicate aspects of his shot. He examines McDavid’s skating, Patrick Kane‘s passing. But Bedard draws the most holistic inspiration from Crosby. Bedard studies Crosby’s puck protection and 200-foot game on the ice, and watches Crosby’s news conferences and social interactions off the ice.

“[Crosby is] just incredible,” Bedard said. “You see him with kids, you see him with the media, and he never really makes a mistake. He carries himself so well, always. There’s a humbleness to him. He doesn’t love talking about himself. He always tries to involve his teammates, involve people that have helped him.”

Which is exactly what Bedard tries to replicate.

Bedard said that if he gets a big NHL paycheck, he wants to thank his family for their support. “I’ll probably get my mom something,” Bedard said. “My dream is to pay off their house or get them a house. I hope I can do that one day.”

Even away from the spotlight, there are aspects about Bedard that make him stand out. “It kind of surprised me because it was my first time seeing it,” Pats teammate Tanner Howe said, “but in the weight room he’s always doing two or three extra reps. That’s his thing.”

And there are times when Bedard seems just like a typical teenager. “If you know him, he’s actually a very funny guy,” Pats teammate Alexander Suzdalev said. “He’ll chirp you on the ice.”

This is echoed by Howe, but out of deference, both players say they can’t cite specific examples. “Just trust me,” Suzdalev said. “He’s got a lot of good ones.”

Bedard knows there are things he can’t control: where his NHL career will begin, how others perceive him. On the latter, however, he has some ideas about where he’d like people to start.

“I mean, you’ll have your own opinion on watching me or whatnot,” Bedard said. “But I just want to be seen as someone that has always given it their all and is a good person as much as a good player.”

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NHL Power Rankings: Capitals take over No. 1 spot, plus each team’s fantasy MVP

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NHL Power Rankings: Capitals take over No. 1 spot, plus each team's fantasy MVP

The midway point of the 2024-25 NHL occurred recently, which led to a slew of content this week: Midseason grades for all 32 teams, the Panic Meter, and the Wyshynski Awards at midseason.

But which fantasy players have been the MVP at this juncture?

In this week’s edition of the Power Rankings, we have identified that player for each club. And a reminder, it’s not too late to sign up for a team!

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Jan. 10. Points percentages and paces are through Thursday’s games.

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 72.22%

Tom Wilson, RW. It’s honestly hard to pick one Capital for this fantasy MVP award, as it’s been such a great season. Logan Thompson, Connor McMichael, Dylan Strome, Jakob Chychrun … even an injury-shortened run from Alex Ovechkin has been epic so far. But Wilson is the team’s fantasy leader as of Wednesday, with one more fantasy point than Thompson, so let’s acknowledge the effort.

Next eight days: vs. PIT (Jan. 18), @ EDM (Jan. 21), @ SEA (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 70.65%

Connor Hellebuyck, G. He’s not just the Jets’ fantasy MVP, he’s easily the NHL fantasy MVP this season! Hellebuyck has a 35-point lead on Nathan MacKinnon for the most overall fantasy points and is pushing into territory we haven’t seen in the modern NHL. Carey Price has the 15-year water mark at 313.6 fantasy points in 2014-15 and Hellebuyck is on pace to beat it.

Next eight days: vs. CGY (Jan. 18), @ UTA (Jan. 20), @ COL (Jan. 22)


Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 69.32%

Jack Eichel, C. Health has been a big reason why, but it’s still a shock to think that Eichel hasn’t scored more than 82 points in a season. Well, he’s going to blow the doors off that career mark this campaign as he’s well on his way to triple digits!

Next eight days: @ CAR (Jan. 17), @ CHI (Jan. 18), vs. STL (Jan. 20), @ STL (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 67.78%

Leon Draisaitl, C. Chicken or egg, we may never know, but Draisaitl is the easy pick from the Oilers even though he’s on a team with the consensus best player on the planet. His fantasy returns are through the roof and he’s dominating in the offensive categories at a per-game rate only eclipsed by two other players. No one is sad even if he was picked first overall at the draft — which he probably wasn’t.

Next eight days: @ VAN (Jan. 18), vs. WSH (Jan. 21), vs. VAN (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 64.77%

Jake Oettinger, G. It hasn’t been a straight line to get there, but here at the halfway mark, Oettinger is the top-five goaltender we drafted. That’s worthy of fantasy MVP on a team with most of the other personnel putting up totals that lag behind last season.

Next eight days: @ COL (Jan. 18), vs. DET (Jan. 19), vs. CAR (Jan. 21)


Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 64.44%

Kirill Kaprizov, LW. He’s missed 10 games and still has the lead in fantasy points for the Wild, though Filip Gustavsson might catch him). Actually, if Kaprizov wasn’t so extremely dialed in, Gustavsson may have been worthy of the nod here for answering the bell as the unquestioned starter after a down season in 2023-24.

Next eight days: @ NSH (Jan. 18), @ COL (Jan. 20), vs. UTA (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 61.70%

Jacob Markstrom, G. Forget fantasy MVP, maybe just plain MVP. The Devils knew they needed a reliable goalie to change their fortunes in the standings, and Markstrom has more than filled that void. It’s a bonus for us in the fantasy game that the results have translated well and he’s (distant, admittedly) second to Connor Hellebuyck among all goalies.

Next eight days: vs. PHI (Jan. 18), vs. OTT (Jan. 19), vs. BOS (Jan. 22)


Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 63.04%

Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, G. Maybe the fantasy MVP should be coach Craig Berube, who brought his defensive stylings to a team that seemed to have had an appetite for it all along. Both Stolarz and Woll have proven to be worthy of fantasy rosters — especially in leagues that allow daily lineup changes to pick the actual starter. They rank fourth and 13th respectively for fantasy points per game.

Next eight days: @ MTL (Jan. 18), vs. TB (Jan. 20), vs. CBJ (Jan. 22)


Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 61.11%

Shayne Gostisbehere, D. Averaging half a point per game with the man advantage, Gostisbehere is just what the Hurricanes needed to elevate their special teams this season. He’s not just a great fantasy starter, but he’s lifted all boats for the Hurricanes by making the power play more dangerous. That’s true fantasy MVP status.

Next eight days: vs. VGK (Jan. 17), @ CHI (Jan. 20), @ DAL (Jan. 21), vs. CBJ (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 65.48%

Brandt Clarke, D. Though the sun is setting on his time in the spotlight and one could argue it’s been fading since his early season returns, Clarke did a stand-up job of filling in for Drew Doughty as the Kings power-play quarterback until the veteran returns, which for the record, is expected to be soon.

Next eight days: @ SEA (Jan. 18), vs. PIT (Jan. 20), vs. FLA (Jan. 22)


Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 59.78%

Nathan MacKinnon, C. One of only two skaters averaging 3.0 fantasy points per game, MacKinnon is a fantasy MVP even relative to his starting value, which couldn’t possibly have been any higher for the top player drafted in most leagues. There are no complaints if you want to give this to Mikko Rantanen or Cale Makar, who are right there with him.

Next eight days: vs. DAL (Jan. 18), vs. MIN (Jan. 20), vs. WPG (Jan. 22)


Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 59.78%

Sam Reinhart, RW. Leon Draisaitl, Alex Ovechkin, Dany Heatley … Reinhart? If he keeps up his current pace, he’ll join an exclusive group of players with consecutive 50-goal seasons in the post-lockout era. How’s that for an answer as to whether he can repeat his fantasy value from his contract season?

Next eight days: vs. ANA (Jan. 18), @ ANA (Jan. 21), @ LA (Jan. 22)


Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 59.30%

Nikita Kucherov, RW. Life without Steven Stamkos has been just fine for Kucherov, as Jake Guentzel has filled the void on the power play. He joins only Nathan MacKinnon in the rarified air of earning 3.0 fantasy points per game as a skater. Brandon Hagel emerging as a fantasy lock would be another consideration here, but Kucherov is too good to pass on.

Next eight days: vs. DET (Jan. 18), @ TOR (Jan. 20), @ MTL (Jan. 21)


Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 55.68%

Jonathan Huberdeau, LW. Cast aside after the terrible fantasy showing last season, Huberdeau was widely available for fantasy teams when it became clear he was having a bounce-back campaign. Rookie Dustin Wolf was an equally eligible choice here as he continues his takeover of the crease.

Next eight days: @ WPG (Jan. 18), vs. BUF (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 54.55%

Kevin Lankinen, G. Although the fantasy value is starting to fade as Thatcher Demko creeps back into the picture, Lankinen was a boon to rosters for months as his replacement. And it was a very late replacement, as he wasn’t even on the Canucks roster until after some fantasy drafts. But with Demko still not seemingly 100 percent, maybe the ride isn’t over.

Next eight days: vs. EDM (Jan. 18), vs. BUF (Jan. 21), @ EDM (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 55.56%

Zach Werenski, D. Mike Green’s 31 goals in 2008-09 still stands as the 21st century mark to beat for a defender. Werenski picked up two on Tuesday to put him on pace for 28. The results are only made better by the fact that he was a typically an 11th round draft pick in most leagues.

Next eight days: @ NYR (Jan. 18), @ NYI (Jan. 20), @ TOR (Jan. 22), @ CAR (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 54.55%

Brady Tkachuk, LW. Five-category forwards are a rare commodity, but Tkachuk checks all the boxes for fantasy production. But he’s not just checking them, he’s filling the boxes in with a permanent Sharpie and signing them. He’s top 10 in both shots on goal and hits!

Next eight days: vs. BOS (Jan. 18), @ NJ (Jan. 19), @ NYR (Jan. 21), @ BOS (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 53.26%

David Pastrnak, RW. Like … who else are we going to pick? Jeremy Swayman and Elias Lindholm are falling way short of high hopes, Charlie McAvoy — just placed on the IR — and Brad Marchand are treading water for value. Pasta hasn’t been as dominant as his recent seasons, but you probably aren’t mad you picked him for your team, which is going to have to be good enough for fantasy MVP here.

Next eight days: @ OTT (Jan. 18), vs. SJ (Jan. 20), @ NJ (Jan. 22), vs. OTT (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 54.55%

Lane Hutson, D. It took him a little bit of time, but Hutson climbed the depth chart to the top of the blue line and is reaping the rewards. He has been a top-10 fantasy defenseman for the past month with 2.3 fantasy points per game and leads all Habs in fantasy points over that span.

Next eight days: vs. TOR (Jan. 18), vs. NYR (Jan. 19), vs. TB (Jan. 21), @ DET (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.27%

Moritz Seider, D. With the way the offense has turned around after the coaching change, this answer might be different in a couple of weeks (Patrick Kane?), but for now, Seider returning the top-five defenseman value we hoped for is fantasy MVP-worthy.

Next eight days: @ TB (Jan. 18), @ DAL (Jan. 19), @ PHI (Jan. 21), vs. MTL (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 52.17%

Dylan Holloway, C. After getting modest chances in Edmonton with the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, it was far from expected that Holloway would start producing once he escaped them. Holloway ranks third on the Blues in total fantasy points and has only been improving his output as the season progresses — as in, this might not even be the ceiling yet.

Next eight days: @ UTA (Jan. 18), @ VGK (Jan. 20), vs. VGK (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 51.14%

Will Cuylle, LW. Frankly, Cuylle shouldn’t be on fantasy rosters anymore since his early-season hot streak inevitably petered out, but giving him the fantasy MVP nod here is a message to the rest of the Rangers. No one has met, let alone exceeded fantasy hopes on this roster this season. Vincent Trocheck is just starting to get to a good place, but it’s thumbs down all around after him.

Next eight days: vs. CBJ (Jan. 18), @ MTL (Jan. 19), vs. OTT (Jan. 21), vs. PHI (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 50.00%

Travis Sanheim, D. While Travis Konecny is the team leader for fantasy, he was also a popular pick at drafts. Sanheim was a bench addition defenseman in most leagues — if he was even drafted at all. Well, here he is, sandwiched between Quinn Hughes and Roman Josi for total fantasy points from the blue line at the halfway mark.

Next eight days: @ NJ (Jan. 18), vs. DET (Jan. 21), @ NYR (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 48.86%

Ian Cole, D. Cole is easily having the quietest fantasy campaign in the league. He ranks 19th in fantasy points among all defensemen, yet remains available in 60% of leagues. The fuel for his performance are his 124 blocked shots, which rank second overall to Jacob Trouba. Cole even has more fantasy points than any forward on Utah’s roster.

Next eight days: vs. STL (Jan. 18), vs. WPG (Jan. 20), @ MIN (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 47.83%

Rickard Rakell, RW. He was on radars at the start of the season, but he may not have even been in many top-five lists for Penguins with the most fantasy potential. So to have Rakell not only doing well, but leading the entire team in fantasy points — by a healthy margin — is fantastic news for those that picked him up in the early going. Heck, Rakell is 11th among all skaters in fantasy scoring!

Next eight days: @ BUF (Jan. 17), @ WSH (Jan. 18), @ LA (Jan. 20), @ ANA (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.59%

Anders Lee, LW. With only Lee and Noah Dobson approaching 2.0 fantasy points per game — and barely — across the Islanders’ entire roster, we don’t really have a choice but to go with Lee for the fantasy MVP, as we expected more from Dobson. But long story short, if Ilya Sorokin isn’t the fantasy MVP in an Isles season, we know things aren’t going to plan.

Next eight days: vs. SJ (Jan. 18), vs. CBJ (Jan. 20)


Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 44.57%

Joey Daccord, G. Look, the Kraken are an example of playing above the sum of its parts, but it means there are no superstars here. No player averages more than 1.7 fantasy points per game, which means some shallow leagues might be better off with no Kraken on any rosters. That said, Daccord has been an above average secondary fantasy goaltender when deployed with focus.

Next eight days: vs. LA (Jan. 18), vs. BUF (Jan. 20), vs. WSH (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 46.67%

Jackson LaCombe, D. Before the season, if you had to guess the young defender that would the Ducks’ fantasy MVP at the halfway mark, LaCombe might have been your third guess. He’s playing top-pair minutes with Radko Gudas and patrolling the blue line on the power play to the tune of 1.9 fantasy points per game.

Next eight days: @ FLA (Jan. 18), vs. FLA (Jan. 21), vs. PIT (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 44.32%

Jason Zucker, LW. A prime choice in deep-league fantasy games, Zucker has a lot going for him amongst a disappointing showing from his teammates in fantasy. A freebie pickup with 1.7 fantasy points per game? Nice. Gets most of his points on the power play? Excellent. Eligible at both LW and RW for leagues that use those? Beauty!

Next eight days: vs. PIT (Jan. 17), @ SEA (Jan. 20), @ VAN (Jan. 21), @ CGY (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 42.05%

Roman Josi, D. Even though he ranks ninth among blueliners for fantasy points and is behind his pace from last season, Josi is as close to a fantasy MVP as we’ll get with this club. Maybe better days are ahead, but the Predators are a lesson in not betting too strongly on fantasy returns based on offseason moves.

Next eight days: vs. MIN (Jan. 18), vs. SJ (Jan. 21), @ SJ (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 36.17%

Jake Walman, D. An extraordinarily pleasant surprise on the Sharks’ blue line, Walman is running the power play, firing shots, scoring goals and blocking shots. He wasn’t on any preseason shortlists as a sleeper, so to be getting quality production out of him as a free-agent addition has been helpful to those who jumped on board.

Next eight days: @ NYI (Jan. 18), @ BOS (Jan. 20), @ NSH (Jan. 21), vs. NSH (Jan. 23)


Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 34.44%

Alex Vlasic, D. The results are dipping of late, but Vlasic was a solid play overall this season, especially when Seth Jones was out of the lineup. Vlasic ranks second on the team in fantasy points and was even tied with Connor Bedard for the lead as recently as Dec. 27.

Next eight days: vs. VGK (Jan. 18), vs. CAR (Jan. 20)

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LSU freshman QB hospitalized after car crash

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LSU freshman QB hospitalized after car crash

LSU freshman quarterback Colin Hurley was found unresponsive but breathing by LSU police and the Baton Rouge Fire Department just before 3 a.m. on Thursday following a car crash near the gates of the LSU campus, according to a crash report.

Hurley was taken out of his Dodge Charger by EMS and fire department personnel and transported to a Baton Rouge area hospital.

The cause of the crash has not been released. LSU school officials said they were unable to comment because Hurley, 17, is still a minor. Hurley’s parents were on their way to Baton Rouge.

“We are working through proper protocols with his family before we can have any comment,” LSU senior associate athletic director and chief communications officer Zach Greenwell told ESPN via text message.

Hurley, who is from Jacksonville, Florida, signed with LSU as part of the 2024 recruiting class and did not play this season as a true freshman.

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Truex to attempt Daytona 500 with Tricon Garage

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Truex to attempt Daytona 500 with Tricon Garage

Martin Truex Jr. will pause his retirement and attempt to qualify for next month’s Daytona 500 with Tricon Garage, the team announced Thursday.

Truex, 44, retired from full-time racing after the 2024 season. The 2017 Cup Series champion collected 34 wins and 291 top-10 finishes across 21 years on NASCAR’s top circuit.

Tricon Garage confirmed that Truex will be behind the wheel of the No. 56 Toyota sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, a longtime sponsor for the New Jersey-born driver.

“Having raced against Martin for many years, I can confidently say there’s no stronger competitor I’d want behind the wheel for our first Cup Series entry at the sport’s most prestigious race,” team owner and former driver David Gilliland said. “As an open entry, we know the road ahead will be challenging, but I have no doubt that Martin will put us in the best position to succeed. I’ve had the privilege of sitting on the pole at Daytona, but my next goal is to celebrate in Victory Lane.”

Truex has never won the Daytona 500 in 20 previous attempts, finishing runner-up to Denny Hamlin in 2016 by just 0.010 seconds.

In order to make the field for the Feb. 16 running of the “Great American Race,” Truex will have to qualify through the Daytona Duels on Feb. 13.

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