The player thought to be hockey’s next superstar Connor Bedard donned his new team’s jersey over a dress shirt and tie after the Chicago Blackhawks selected him with the first choice in the draft earlier this summer.
Bedard experienced his most recent welcome to the NHL moment on Tuesday during the Players’ Association’s rookie showcase, skating around on the ice for the first time in his new team’s entire uniform. The event marked Bedard’s most recent step toward making his professional debut, following the draft, development camp, and signing his entry-level contract on his birthday.
“It’s a dream come true just to be with this organization, city, and everything,” Bedard remarked. To put the jersey on is quite special because I grew up following them and experiencing some of their Stanley Cup runs.
The 18-year-old doesn’t want to get ahead of himself about his debut game perhaps being against his idol Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 10. Bedard wouldn’t publicly discuss moving to Chicago until general manager Kyle Davidson called his name, and he did the same thing when Davidson called Bedard’s name.
It would be a fantastic start to face Crosby, but training camp begins on September 22.
Try to concentrate on having a good camp, Bedard advised. But if that does occur, that’ll be fantastic.
For two days in the Washington region, Bedard received a lot of attention from people looking for his autograph at an NHLPA and Upper Deck event for rookie orientation and pictures for trading cards. Since he was at least 14 years old, he has been anticipated as a future star. He simply stated, “I’ve had crazier.”
Kevin Korchinski, a fellow Blackhawks prospect who is anticipated to play a significant role in the team’s future but is not the franchise’s face like Bedard, respects Bedard’s laid-back demeanor in the face of all the attention.
Bedard grinned as he assured reporters that their opinions have no bearing on his day-to-day activities, despite the fact that he is well aware of the high standards that the hockey world has for him.
“I’m worried about, obviously, my expectations of myself and teammates and everything and trying to be the best version of myself every day,” said Bedard. “I adore watching hockey. That ambient noise isn’t really pressure to me. It’s merely an object that exists.
Oh, I see it now. Even the odds for Bedard’s first-season totals of goals (31 1/2) and points (67.5) are available at FanDuel Sportsbook, where they have him as the favorite to win the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year.
Bedard is still in the waiting and seeing attitude when it comes to his own expectations for his debut season.
The player remarked, “I kind of got to see how it is going to camp, going (through) preseason and everything.” Of course, I have expectations for myself. I want to perform well, make a contribution, and support the team’s success. That’s essentially what I have at the moment.