The 2023-2024 National Hockey League (NHL) season begins Tuesday night and one Connor Bedard will be in the spotlight.
In fact, the Chicago Blackhawks will visit the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. This will be the very first lap of the track for whoever was selected first at the last amateur auction at the Bettman track.
The duel will also be broadcast on TVA Sports.
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“When I step back and think about it a little bit, it’s pretty crazy,” said Bedard, whose comments were reported by the NHL website.
“I sent text messages to several of my friends. They said, ‘You’re going to play in an NHL game.’ It’s special and I’m trying to absorb it all. When I’m on the ice, I don’t have to think, ‘Oh, this is so cool.’ I want to perform and do my best.”
Since his name was called by the Blackhawks last June, Bedard has found his life a “whirlwind.”
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he said. It was really cool for me and my family. It’s been crazy all summer and now it’s over. You only experience that once in your life. When I look back, they were really cool experiences. I appreciated it.
A mentor in Hall
With the Blackhawks, Bedard can count on teammate Taylor Hall to help him adjust to the realities of the NHL.
Acquired in a trade with the Boston Bruins last June, the 31-year-old veteran was the first-ever player selected in the 2010 draft.
“He was really good for me,” Bedard said. I asked him so many questions because he had been in my situation before. He was incredible. He’s a really good guy and I got to know him well.”
“He came to me and said, ‘If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask me.’ There are few people who understand the circumstances and lifestyle you have in the three months after the draft and before [le début de la saison]That’s why it’s so great to have a man like him by my side.
His “best game”
Bedard wore the uniform for four of the Hawks’ six preseason games. He scored one goal and four assists for five points.
The young prodigy believes he played “his best game in a long time” last Thursday in a 3-2 penalty shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild. However, he was not involved in the scoring in this duel.
“I believe that I create a lot of opportunities and have responsibility when I’m on the ice. I didn’t make any mistakes, but I think my game is about playing and being creative,” he said.
“Of course, sometimes I give the puck back to the opponent. It’s the nature of offense, but my best moments are when I make plays, sometimes even the simplest ones.”
“I just want to make a difference when I’m on the ice,” Bedard added. This is something I have to do. I want to help the team win games. On a personal level, I want to make a difference, make an impact and ultimately win!”