WASHINGTON | New York Islanders prospect William Dufour and Edmonton Oilers prospect Xavier Bourgault have smiles on their faces as they tell a story about the NHL’s next big star, Connor Bedard.
“We only had two blocks to go, but there were supporters walking behind the bus,” Dufour said. When we got off the bus, a man even tried to break into the building, but thanks to the presence of a police officer, we were able to quickly stop him. »
“They weren’t looking for my autograph, they were looking for Bedard’s,” Bourgault added.
More or less partisans. In this specific case we are talking more about autograph hunters. But this scene actually took place on a quiet Tuesday morning in the heat and humidity of Arlington.
This Virginia city is no hockey mecca. The Washington Capitals built their training facility here and Upper Deck also invited 34 of the NHL’s best talents to take photos here.
At the Westin, the hotel where the young players are staying, around ten collectors have been storming the sofas in the lobby since the day before the event, hoping to meet the best in their class from the last NHL draft in Nashville.
“This has been Connor’s reality for a long time,” recalls defenseman Stanislav Svozil, a teammate of Bedard’s in Regina the last two seasons and a prospect for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is never calm. I wasn’t surprised to see this today. In Regina there were always people asking him for his autograph, and it was the same when we played on the road. »
In the shadow of his famous teammate in Regina, Svozil still collected 78 points (11 goals, 67 assists) in 78 games with the Pats last year. He will make his professional debut this year, most likely with the Cleveland Monsters of the American League.
Juggling with fame
It’s been written hundreds of times. Bedard will be the next strong face in the NHL. He will follow in the footsteps of other prodigies of recent years: Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.
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Always calm and collected in front of the media, Bedard doesn’t let the attention he receives overwhelm him.
“It’s not that crazy,” he replied. I’m getting used to this reality. It’s not difficult for me to live with it. I don’t change my everyday life. I don’t care too much about what people say about me. I focus on my own expectations and those of my teammates. »
“I want to be the best hockey player possible,” he continued. I like hockey. Noise from outside does not represent any additional pressure for me. It is simply a reality. »
Debut against Crosby
On October 10th, Bedard will take his first steps in the Chicago Blackhawks jersey. The Hawks will visit Sidney Crosby and the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
After a cliched answer that he didn’t have his locker in the Blackhawks’ locker room yet, number 98 realized that this first game will have special symbolism.
“I’m focused on the next camp with the Blackhawks. If I earn a place in the team, I will realize a childhood dream. In my first game I will have the chance to play against my idol Sidney Crosby. He’s been in the NHL since I was born, I’ve always followed him. »
Good veterans
In Chicago, Bedard and the Hawks remain a team in the midst of a rebuild.
Kyle Davidson, the general manager, surrounded his young phenom by bringing in veterans like Corey Perry, Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall.
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“Perry is an NHL legend,” Bedard said with a smile on his face. I feel like other teams hate playing him, but he’s the type of player you want on a team. »
In addition to Hall, Bedard can also get advice from another former first-over pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2010.
“I know Taylor won’t hesitate to talk to me,” he replied. He’s been playing in the NHL for a long time and has been through a lot. But above all it will have an impact on our team. »