In past years, the Blackhawks prospect developmental camp included on-ice sessions that were open to the public. That won't be so in 2023. The earliest Bedard might officially hit the ice in the Windy City is at training camp.
Fans won't be able to see presumptive No. 1 2023 NHL Draft pick Connor Bedard on the ice in Chicago before the Blackhawks open training camp on Sept. 21, 2023.
That also goes for the team's other top prospects, including ones that are already drafted and in the pipeline. At the top of the list are defensemen Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan, Alex Vlasic, Wyatt Kaiser and Ethan Del Mastro, forward Colton Dach, and already-signed goalie Drew Commesso.
But all the sizzle surrounds Bedard, billed as the NHL's next generational talent. He's expected to be taken by the Blackhawks with the first selection at the draft's opening night on June 28 in Nashville. Bedard, likened to Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, should make an impact in the NHL starting next season.
The Blackhawks "won" the NHL draft lottery on May 8 and the first overall pick, expected to be forward Connor Bedard. Chicago moved up to the top draft spot, passing Anaheim and Columbus, which had slightly worse regular-season records in 2022-23.The 5-foot-10 center led Canadian major junior hockey in scoring in 2022-23 with 71 goals and 72 assists while starring for the WHL Regina Pats. Bedard will still be just 17 years-old when his name is called on the floor of the Bridgestone Arena.
In recent seasons, the Blackhawks held their development camps in mid-July at Fifth Third Arena where fans could drift in and out of the team's practice facility for a sneak-peek at prospects during on-ice sessions on two rinks.
But on a podcast with rightsholder NBC Sports Chicago this week, Blackhawks assistant general manager Mark Eaton revealed the team's 2023 development camp will include only off-ice sessions. The camp runs June 30 to July 6, roughly two weeks earlier than in the past, and starts just one day after the 2023 draft concludes with rounds 2 through 7.
The switch to off-ice only training had nothing to do with winning the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery or the hoopla surrounding Bedard. Eaton told the NBC Chicago Sports podcast hosts the change had been planned well in advance.
Elite level hockey players typically take a break from skating following the end of their seasons. They might have a period of active rest, followed by a focus on building strength, endurance and quickness in off-ice training. Having the Blackhawks prospects lace up their skates in July — and feeling pressure to look good on the ice for the team that drafted them – was disruptive to their big-picture preparation.
"In thinking about it, having no on-ice portion to it, we think it's the best use of that week," Eaton said. "The physical development is where I think you can make the biggest impact."
Some Twitter users have suggested Connor Bedard "pull a Lindros" and not sign with the Blackhawks after they select him in the 2023 NHL Draft. Lindros chose not to sign with the Québec Nordiques in 1991. Eaton said the Blackhawks prospects, including an expected 11 draftees in 2023, are plunged into the camp to "help them transition into a pro mindset" and "educate them on some of the aspects of what it take to become a pro and eventually realize their dreams of playing in the NHL."
Beyond the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, the Blackhawks have another selection in the first round, 19th overall, acquired from Tampa Bay in the March 2022 trade that sent Brandon Hagel to the Lightning.
Chicago has four picks in the second round of the 2023 draft (35th, 44th, 51st and 55th overall); two picks in the third round (67th and 89th overall); and single picks in the fourth (99th overall), fifth (131st overall) and seventh (195th overall) rounds
Once Bedard is selected and there no hitches in Chicago signing him,(See all the tweets on "Pulling a Lindros") he could debut on-ice as a Blackhawk at the team's rookie camp. It runs Sept. 13-17 in St. Paul, Minnesota.