CHICAGO | Star players don't just have talent in common. They are often real workaholics. Let's think of Michael Jordan, who we rediscovered in the documentary The last Dance, Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid. They all spend countless hours honing their skills.
Connor Bedard is no different from the others.
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“Yesterday I basically had to give the driver of the Zamboni $50 to get him off the ice,” Luke Richardson said after the Blackhawks practice. Sometimes he stays on the ice way too long.”
Clearly the Hawks head coach doesn't hold anything against him. Who can be against the heart that a young person brings to work?
“You can have all the talent in the world, but what makes the difference is the desire (drive). It’s about getting to the gym early, it’s about getting your body ready for the game,” admitted the former defender.
On the other hand, Bedard, just 18 years old and in his first professional season, may not yet be able to judge his efforts well enough.
“He wants to work on a lot of details. It would be difficult to stop him, the Hawks head coach continued. But with our schedule, he’s starting to understand when he can push a little harder and when he needs to rest.”
A role model to follow
Still, the Hawks have found the ideal athlete to establish a winning culture in their locker room. The rookie only has 31 games under his belt, but he's already making a strong impact on his teammates.
This is the case with Anthony Beauvillier, acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on November 28th.
“There are few players in the world who are present no matter where they are and no matter what locker room they enter. He has that. Like Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid, said the 26-year-old striker. The boys want to talk to him and learn from him, even though he’s only 18.”
“Besides, he doesn’t act like a man his age,” he added. He is already a pro in his physical preparation, his mental preparation, his diet and the way he recovers.
Gold again?
Crosby, McDavid. The day is not far off when Bedard will join them on the international stage.
NHL players could return to the 2026 Olympics in Italy. But first, depending on how their respective teams' seasons go, this starting trio could very well represent the Maple Leaf at the next World Cup.
“It’s always a pleasure to represent our country,” said Bedard, a two-time junior world championship gold medalist. But I haven't proven anything yet. There are so many good players in Canada. And I only played about thirty games in the NHL. I don’t want to blame anyone.”
Until then, he'll be content to watch his friends from Junior Team Canada try to climb the top step of the podium again.