The NHL's top draft pick didn't disappoint in his first game with Chicago, a 5-0 win over the St. Louis Blues rookies at the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase in St. Paul. Minnesota.
The dominant player on the ice all night, Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard broke through for his first three goals in a Chicago jersey against the St. Louis Blues rookies at the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase on Saturday night.
"It was fun, finally playing a game," Bedard said. "It was a really good pace out there, physical. It's good to get that first one in and we'll build from there, I guess."
Bedard, who finished with four points and 11 shots, scored his first goal on a power-play with 5:17 left in the second period. The NHL's top draft pick in 2023 corralled the puck at the right point, closed in and whipped a high shot that beat goalie Will Cranley and put Chicago ahead 2-0. See the video: https://x.com/TheHockeyNews/status/1703202885922643970?s=20
Bedard added his second goal, his flashiest of the night, in the third to make it 4-0. He cut from the slot, then danced back and forth in the left circle as defenders backed off. Bedard connected again on a high shot that sailed through traffic. See video: https://x.com/ByScottPowers/status/1703211159610904823?s=20
"It's special, for sure," said Anders Sorensen, the AHL Rockford IceHogs coach who's overseeing the Blackhawks rookies. "His instincts. Just a lot change of angles. The way he catches passes. Deceptive, the way he can pull pucks in and out."
The 18-year-old completed his hat trick on a shot from the slot midway through the third that made it 5-0. See link: https://x.com/TheHockeyNews/status/1703216517465170065?s=20
Traditional game stats weren't available from the contest at the TRIA Rink in St. Paul, Minnesota, but Bedard easily led all players in shots and in ice time. The 18-year-old center had several prime chances, including on a breakaway, before scoring.
"I had a lot of shots, I thought," Bedard said. "Obviously it's frustrating when it doesn't go in, but I had a lot of looks."
Louis Crevier, a 6-foot-8, 22-year-old defenseman, had given the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead midway through the second. Then Bedard started scoring and Chicago pulled away.
Colton Dach, who started the game on the right wing of Bedard's line, made it 3-0 with a deflected goal from a tight angle early in the third period. Bedard followed with his second and third goals of the contest to cap the scoring.
Sorensen rested Bedard, the NHL's "next generational talent" the rest of the night. He wasn't sure if Bedard would play Sunday afternoon against the Wild's squad.
"We'll chat and see what happens," Sorensen said.
Drew Commesso, Chicago's top goaltending prospect, was sharp. He made several tough saves early on during a series of Blues power plays.
Commesso hadn't played in a game since tending nets in Boston University's 6-2 loss to the University of Minnesota last April in the NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida
"My defense did a terrific job of pretty much letting me see every puck," Commesso said. "I don't want to take a lot of credit for their performance."