CHICAGO — Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard made his much-anticipated NHL preseason debut Thursday night at the United Center.
The No. 1 pick in the June draft received the loudest ovation of the Hawks starters during pregame introductions for their matchup against the St. Louis Blues. He stood at center ice during Jim Cornelison’s national anthem, his closest vantage point yet of the UC tradition.
He won the opening faceoff against Blues center Robert Thomas.
About four minutes into the first period, Bedard dragged the puck to left circle and fired between defenders — his first shot in the preseason — but Blues goalie Joel Hofer made the save.
Hours before the game, Bedard stood in front of his makeshift locker at Fifth Third Arena — where he and fellow prospects Kevin Korchinski and Wyatt Kaiser keep their gear in a crowded dressing room during training camp — and addressed a throng of media.
Asked if he was nervous, Bedard said: “Not right now. I mean, just excitement. I’m sure before every game you feel a little something, a little nervous maybe, but right now just excited to play.”
Coach Luke Richardson noted Bedard is no stranger to the big stage. He has played in multiple World Junior tournaments and the Western Hockey League playoffs.
“He’s going to do fine,” Richardson said before the game. “He’s built for that, he’s ready for it. You can see in his interviews he’s very calm, he’s very composed for a young 18-year-old in the spotlight.”
Bedard wasn’t the only prospect making his debut. Forwards Martin Mišiak, Nick Lardis and Marcel Marcel were drafted this summer. Defenseman Kevin Korchinski returns for his second round of exhibition games.
Several players said this week that they were eager to compete against opposing players rather than beating each other up in scrimmages and drills.
The NHL preseason began five days ago with three games on Saturday, but the Hawks don’t play their first of six exhibitions until Thursday.
“Watching all the preseason games — we’re a little late — but it’s been a really good week and I learned a lot, which is good,” Bedard said. “You can take more time in practice to kind of figure stuff out, but we want to play. We’re looking forward to it tonight.”
