On Thursday night, Connor Bedard made his Chicago Blackhawks preseason debut, and the team’s Original Six supporters were primed for action.
The United Center’s two lower levels were largely packed for the exhibition game against the St. Louis Blues. The group sealed off the top deck.
North Vancouver, British Columbia native Bedard contributed two assists in the Blackhawks’ 2-1 overtime victory over the Blues.
Robert Thomas scored for St. Louis, and Andreas Athanasiou and Philipp Kurashev scored for Chicago.
Bedard was starting on a line alongside Ryan Donato and Taylor Hall, the wings, by Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson. When his name was called prior to the game, the rookie received the biggest applause of any player.
Before the first faceoff, which Bedard won, fans were milling around the United Center concourses, donning his No. 98 jersey. At the main team store and smaller stands, even more fans were considering purchasing a Bedard shirt, which costs $250 for an authentic edition and $200 for a replica.
After finishing 26-49-7 in the previous campaign, Chicago leveraged a shocking victory in the NHL draft lottery to choose the highly anticipated Bedard with the first overall pick. The 18-year-old center won’t make his debut until October 10, when the Blackhawks play their first regular season game at Pittsburgh.
Regarding Thursday’s preseason game, Richardson stated, “It’s another step.” “He and many of the other young players tonight are undoubtedly in for an exciting time—it’s an exciting time for the entire organization and city, too.”
Before the season even begins, one of the NHL’s most eagerly awaited plots is how Bedard will affect Chicago. In his final season with the Regina Pats, he recorded the most points in the Western Hockey League since 1995–96 with 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games. When he assisted Canada in winning gold at the World Junior Hockey Championship in January, he was also named the tournament MVP.
He’s been likened to Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, and FanDuel Sportsbook has him as the favorite to win the NHL Rookie of the Year award, the Calder Trophy.
Richardson stated, “As I previously stated, he’s not sneaking into the league unnoticed or unknown.” People are prepared for him, which will provide him with some difficulties.
However, it also presents him with a chance where others may attempt to overact him. He is well-known for being a shooter, but he also has great playmaking and ice awareness.”
Thursday night was Bedard’s first true test against a roster that featured players primarily of NHL caliber.
“It’s pretty unbelievable that I get to play in the United Center,” Bedard remarked in a conversation with his father today. “It’s important, in my opinion, to see the spectators and everything, and to play against many players who are aspiring NHL players as well as NHL players and other alumni.
That should present a nice challenge. It is a beneficial habit to develop and build upon.