VANCOUVER – Connor Bedard went to Rogers Arena several times when he was a kid, as a Vancouver Canucks fan.
Had he ever skated on this ice before?
“One time there was a camp on this ice, and I must have been 4 or 5 years old,” replied Bedard, drafted first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023, before his team’s 4-1 loss to the Canucks on Saturday.
“It was the first time I was on NHL ice. I don’t remember it very well, but I guess I was impressed. »
Bedard’s second presence on the ice at Rogers Arena was a little too discreet for his taste. The 19-year-old forward took just one shot in 16:48 of play for the Blackhawks, who have scored just one goal in regulation in each of their last five games. Despite the defeat, it was the chance for Bedard to come home and play in front of his loved ones.
The Blackhawks did not practice Friday, which gave Bedard the chance to spend time with his family. Since the team was staying one more night in Vancouver before returning to Chicago on Sunday, he expected to see other relatives after the game.
The crowd warmly applauded Bedard when the camera filmed his back during the performance of the American national anthem.
Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson expected his colt’s return home to give him an extra spark. Unfortunately, the Vancouver air did not end his lethargy. Bedard, who scored 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 18 games, has an assist in his last four games. His last goal dates back to October 26 in a 4-2 loss against the Dallas Stars.
He’s still looking for the touch he had last season, when he led the Blackhawks with 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 68 games and won the Calder Trophy, awarded to rookie of the year.
“I think he might be holding on to the puck a little too long, always looking for a better play,” noted Richardson.
“We try to encourage him to shoot. He is a dangerous shooter. If we can get him to use his skating and shoot while moving, I think that’s where he’s most dangerous. Sometimes that’s how it works in hockey. You have to have a little patience and get involved in the forecheck hoping to create a turnover. »
With the Blackhawks trailing 2-1 with less than two minutes left in regulation, Bedard tried to throw the puck back in the offensive zone. He didn’t succeed, and that allowed Canucks forward JT Miller to score into an empty net at 18:04.
“I’m sure it annoys him. He simply missed the puck, and that empty-net goal was the iron in the wound when he returned home, Richardson said. I saw the guys go to comfort him.
“These are things that happen. He tries to do the right thing and go play in the back of the territory, and he just misses the puck. We will talk to him and support him. In his case it’s the same as with the others: when we get a chance, we shouldn’t try to make another pass. We have to shoot. »
Obviously, this is not the script that Bedard wanted to write upon his return to Vancouver, but he still had some great moments. While the Blackhawks were skating Saturday morning, players from the North Shore Winter Club, where Bedard played growing up, were in the stands, attentive to the center player’s every move. A reminder of how far he has come since his debut.
“You put yourself back in these shoes, back when the NHL was a dream, not a reality,” Bedard said. It’s great to see people’s enthusiasm, not only for me, but also for the match and the League in general. It makes you think back to those times when you were in their shoes. »
What does Connor Bedard believe he will need to focus on in order to become a more effective player in the NHL?
Thank you for sitting down with us today, Connor and Coach Richardson. To begin, Connor, can you tell us about your experience playing in Rogers Arena as a Vancouver Canucks fan growing up and how it feels to now be a part of the NHL in that same arena?
Connor Bedard: It was definitely a surreal experience playing in front of the home crowd, especially since I’ve been coming to this rink since I was a kid. The atmosphere was electric, and it was an honor to play on the same ice as some of the players that I looked up to when I was younger. It was a special moment for me and my family, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to play here.
Coach Richardson, you mentioned that Connor is being too patient with the puck and not shooting enough. Can you elaborate on why you think this is happening and what he can do to turn things around?
Luke Richardson: Well, Connor is a very talented player, and he’s still finding his rhythm in the NHL. I think sometimes he feels like he has to make the perfect play every time, but that’s not always possible. He’s got to trust his instincts and shoot more often when he has the chance, especially on the rush. Skating with the puck and finding openings to shoot while driving towards the net is where we believe he’s at his most dangerous. We’ll continue to work with him on this aspect of his game.
Let’s talk about the Blackhawks’ recent struggles offensively. Aside from Connor, who do you think is contributing to the team’s lack of scoring?
Luke Richardson: It’s not just one player; it’s a team effort. We’ve had issues with generating quality scoring chances, and we need to work on our overall attack strategy. We need to capitalize on our opportunities and support each other better in the offensive zone. We’re working on improving our chemistry and finding the right combinations to get more pucks in the net.
Connor, with the NHL being such a fast-paced and physical league, how have you adapted to the professional level? Has there been anything that surprised you about the transition?
Connor Bedard: The speed of the game is
