Connor Bedard Delighted over Text from Idol Sidney Crosby

Penguins Star and Future Hall-of-Famer Welcomed the NHL's Next Generational Talent

Connor Bedard, has been compared to some of the NHL's top talents, among them Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby.

So it was a big deal for Bedard when Crosby texted the 17-year-old center shortly after he was taken first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.

"I got a text from Sidney Crosby, so that was really cool," Bedard said Friday night at the opening of the Blackhawks off-ice prospect development camp. "My favorite player growing up and obviously one of the best to ever do it. So I was pretty excited." 

Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins in 2005 and, like Bedard, was hailed as a "next generational talent" in hockey at the time. The Pittsburgh center is about to enter his 19th NHL season at age 35 and is still going strong, having posted 33 goals and 60 assists last season.

Crosby had a dazzling 39 goals and 102 points as an 18-year-old rookie in 2005-2006. Bedard, as well as Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson, have downplayed any point-per-game production expectations for next season.

Bedard, humbly, has said he's just trying to make the team in Chicago. The North Vancouver, B.C. native is expected to do that... and then some.

That would mean Bedard will make his NHL debut against Crosby and the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Oct. 10. Then eventually, it's on to bigger things. 

"We've been working our whole lives and now to be in Chicago and obviously know the history of this organization and the expectation of winning,"Bedard said to reporters at an availability with several Chicago 2023 draftees. "We're going to do everything we possibly can to improve ourselves and try to win games and ultimately win a Stanley Cup. That the main goal."