The Chicago Blackhawks have welcomed a new face to their training camp this year: Connor Bedard. The 15-year-old phenom is the youngest player ever to be granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada, allowing him to enter the NHL Draft at 15 instead of the usual 18.
Bedard is a highly-touted prospect who is expected to make an immediate impact in the NHL. He has been compared to some of the greatest players in NHL history, including Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. He is a dynamic offensive player who can create scoring chances with his speed and skill.
Bedard is no stranger to success. He was the first overall pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and was named the Canadian Sport School Hockey League’s Player of the Year in 2019-20. He also led his team to a championship in the 2019-20 season.
Bedard is joining a Blackhawks team that is looking to rebuild after a disappointing 2019-20 season. He will be joining a young core of players that includes Kirby Dach, Adam Boqvist, and Alex DeBrincat. Bedard’s addition to the team could help the Blackhawks return to their former glory and become a Stanley Cup contender once again.
It will be interesting to see how Bedard performs during training camp and if he can make an immediate impact on the team. Regardless of how he performs, it is clear that Bedard has the potential to be a star in the NHL and could be a key piece in the Blackhawks’ rebuild.
