Connor Bedard was one of the first players on the ice Monday. He was also one of the last to leave the ice once practice was over.
In many ways, Bedard is the same player heading into his second season with the Chicago Blackhawks, but in reality, he is a different person and player than he was a year ago.
“I think he’s become — I mean even more than last year — a little more comfortable in his own skin,” Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno said.
“I think he understands the league and you can see he’s growing as a person and as a player. I saw a more motivated player. I think he wants to improve this season and build on last year. »
Bedard is once again the Hawks’ most important player heading into Tuesday night’s season opener against the Utah Hockey Club, just as he was as a rookie.
His development will be closely monitored, but the hype that followed him throughout his first NHL campaign has worn off a bit.
This is no problem for Bedard, who, although he seems comfortable with the attention, has never seemed to enjoy talking about himself.
“I feel good, maybe I’m a little more relaxed this year,” admitted Bedard.
The biggest difference with Bedard, who just turned 19 in July, may have more to do with his environment than the young center himself.
Beard skated with Teuvo Teravainen and Ilya Mikheyev — two summer season acquisitions — for the team’s final practice before heading to Utah. He also played alongside Tyler Bertuzzi, who arrived as a free agent, during training camp.
“I think he always had confidence with the puck and always knew how to make plays,” said defenseman Connor Murphy
“I would say if there’s anything different now, it’s that he has more veterans around him, so I think that can help in different situations. »
Bedard, who was selected first overall in the 2023 draft, scored 22 goals and had 39 assists in her first season in the Bettman circuit despite a broken jaw that kept her sidelined for more than a month.
He won the Calder Trophy, awarded to the best rookie of the year in the NHL.
Once the season ended, he applied everything he learned as he prepared for his sophomore year.
“I was in the gym and on the ice trying to put myself in as many game situations as possible,” he said.
Part of Bedard’s confidence heading into his sophomore year simply has to do with the experience he gained in his freshman season.
“I think there are little things that you learn or change a little bit after you get used to the league and play a few games,” he explained.
Bedard, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 185 pounds, showed plenty of fire during the Blackhawks’ preseason games, battling with the Wild’s Joel Eriksson Ek and Blues forward Zachary Bolduc.
He said it’s just hockey and not an adjustment on his part, wryly pointing out that he would lose a fight against most NHL players.
Head coach Luke Richardson also downplayed Bedard’s struggles during the preseason schedule. But he explained where he thinks Bedard’s game is headed.
“I think he’s just going to get stronger and know when he needs to keep the puck and know when he needs to pass it a little bit earlier and get free to get free again,” Richardson said.
“And I think those things will come with time. He’s just eager to move forward and climb the ladder, both as a team and then individually. »
