Special to Sports News Highlights

Connor Bedard retrieved the puck behind the net and pulled off a Michigan goal versus the St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington.

The Chicago Blackhawks’ generational rookie retrieved the puck and cradled and lifted it with his stick lacrosse-style. Balancing the rubber disc on the stick’s blade for a few strides, Bedard flicked the shot over Binnington’s shoulder.

Three months into his NHL career, elite moves, like the one he executed on Dec. 23, confirmed the years of advanced billing Bedard received as the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick.

“We’ve seen a couple of things like that," Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said, as reported by The Associated Press. "He’s got quick hands, and I didn’t even realize what happened until it went in. That’s the vision that he has. He can see that when the puck is probably wobbling a little bit. He gets his blade under it and he can scoop it as he’s moving. He’s able to do those things.”

The rebuilding Blackhawks suffered through a dismal 23-53-6 campaign, but fans watched a star start to come of age. Compiling a team-high 60 points, Bedard joined Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (2005-06) and Detroit Red Wings’ Steve Yzerman (1983-84) as the only skaters to join a team at 18 years old and lead the team in scoring.

Bedard’s reputation stretches into the pop culture lexicon. 

Referenced in a Season 3 trailer for “Shorsey,” the television series’ main character Jared Keeso skates past an opponent donning Bedard’s uniform number.

The trash-talking instigator chirps: “98! Get Bedard's number off your back, you #@%&!*' hot dog!"

Bedard bound for IIHF World Championship

Bedard has led the team and NHL rookies with 60 points, garnering attention. He could potentially win the Calder Trophy. 

Bedard entered the NHL as one of the most hyped prospects since Crosby. And, despite enduring an early season, locker-room scandal involving rumors of his mother and the unconditional release of Corey Perry after the veteran "engaged in conduct that is unacceptable," Bedard delivered, handling himself mostly like a polished veteran. 

The teenager’s maturation progress is about to go into overdrive.

After a season of losing, Bedard announced last Saturday he will compete for Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championship in the Czech Republic. The opening faceoff is scheduled for May 10.

Imagine the line possibilities for Bedard. Could he find himself on a line with Crosby?

The international experience playing with future Hall of Fame teammates should elevate Bedard’s skillset and allow him to address some of his offseason concerns, such as acquiring greater acceleration and bulking up to put him in a better position to claim more puck battles and better absorb the front-of-net abuse. 

Good nutrition and workout habits aside, Bedard will naturally grow into his body over the next few years.

Among his other offseason concerns, Bedard also compiled a team-worst minus-44 rating and, as a top-six centerman, won just 38.9 percent of his draws.

The top Rookie of the Year race likely will end in a landslide. The postseason award will be announced in June.

Sure, Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber stood out by playing an average of 24:58 minutes per game, while taking over for injured Jared Spurgeon. But Bedard started proving he was the league’s prized first-year talent during training camp in September and continued to produce through exhibition and regular seasons. 

When asked to summarize Bedard first season, Blackhawks’ Nick Foligno told The Athletic: “He wants the pressure, and it’s impressive. He wants to score every night. The best players do. And we need him to if we’re going to have success.”

Bedard calls himself ‘kind of a nerd’

Bedard’s willing to put in the extra work.

He’s known for remaining on the ice for nearly an hour after practice with other emerging pros like Philipp Kurashev and Kevin Korchinski. After sustaining a broken jaw in January, Bedard continued a daily skating routine. 

“Now, (I’m) kind of a nerd, it’s kind of all I do,” Bedard said, who won’t turn 19 until July 17.

Entering 2024-25, with Jonathan Toews officially retired, the Blackhawks are expected to name Foligno as team captain. Is he keeping the role warm for Bedard?

For reference, the Red Wings faced a similar situation over three decades ago. The Original Six franchise awarded Yzerman the captaincy when he was 21 years old and served for 19 seasons, the longest tenure of any organization in North American major league sports history. Yzerman also guided the Red Wings to three Stanley Cup championships.

No one should expect Bedard to match the accomplishments of Yzerman, one of the top skaters of all time, but the template was established.

“I think what he experienced is unlike anything we’ve seen any rookie (experience), maybe ever in our game,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson told The Athletic. “And the way he handled it, the way he didn’t let it impact anything on the ice, didn’t let it impact how he went about his business — it’s extremely impressive.”

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