Connor Bedard practiced with the Chicago Blackhawks’ “game group” Thursday at Fifth Third Arena, which means the No. 1 draft pick is set to make his NHL preseason debut against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center.
The 7:30 p.m. game will air locally on NBC Sports Chicago.
Bedard stood in front of his makeshift locker — 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’s 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.”
Several players said they’re 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 night.
“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.”
Bedard has centered a line in camp with veterans Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato, and he will join them on the power play.
That line created several chances during the second scrimmage Tuesday, though they didn’t score.
“Yeah, it’s been good,” Bedard said. “Obviously practice is different, but it’s felt good in those scrimmages. Felt we made some plays and every day growing the chemistry a bit and learning where guys want to be.”
The game group practiced before the second group Thursday morning, so Bedard had some time to reflect before the game.
“I was talking to my dad today: I get to play in the United Center tonight,” he said. “That’s pretty unreal. That’s big.
“(To) see the fans and everything — and of course I haven’t seen the lineup — but (there will be) guys who are trying to make the NHL and guys who have played in the NHL. So that’s going to be a good challenge. Something good to get used to and build off.”
