What was billed by Sherwood Hockey as a "shooting demonstration and competition" turned out to be all about youth hockey players' skills, not a contest between Bedard and fellow Sherwood partner Crystal Sorem
No, Connor Bedard didn't whoop a "Minnesota Hockey Girl" in a shooting demonstration and competition in Toronto before Saturday's NHL All-Star game.
The NHL's leading rookie scorer didn't even try to outgun Crystal Sorem, a former Twin Cities area high school and Ohio State forward. https://www.tiktok.com/@espnnhl/video/7324401943869148458?lang=en
Instead, Bedard and Sorem, both Sherwood partners who use the brand's Rekker sticks, helped host an event where kids were able to shoot on dry land at a Sport Chek store at Maple Leaf Square.
Sorem had originally posted on TikTok she was freaked out about taking on Bedard in the competition, hastily and cryptically announced by Sherwood on social media. Both Sherwood and Sport Chek are owned by Canadian Tire Corp. See our story (below) and Sorem's TikTok video https://www.tiktok.com/@henricksorem/video/7330376372751240490
"I do not remember saying that I would be willing to be publicly embarrassed by Connor Bedard," Sorem said in the video. "The No, 1 draft pick versus me, a girl who plays pond hockey with old, retired men."
As it turned out, it never came to that. Bedard shared a stage with Sorem and Brendon Arnold, Sherwood's associate vice president of brand management before fans in a packed store at 15 York St.
Instead, Bedard spoke to the crowd, then encouraged and assessed the kids who participated.
Cruz Ciarlariello a 10-year-old from LaSalle, Ontario, won the event in sudden-death and came away with a Bedard-autographed puck and a Sherwood stick. The youngster had travelled with his dad, Nick, to the All-Star game from his hometown on the Detroit River near Windsor.
Bedard's Return
Bedard still leads NHL rookies with 15 goals and 33 points despite suffering a broken jaw on Jan. 5 and missing the last 11+ games. The 18-year-old had been named the Blackhawks' lone All-Star representative on Jan. 4.
Although Bedard can now open his mouth, speak normally and eat solid food, he's not due to return for six to eight weeks following the injury and surgery to help repair it. He's been ramping up skating and training in Chicago, and came to Toronto for limited All-Star weekend participation.
The Blackhawks are set to resume practicing on Monday, Feb. 5. Bedard is not yet cleared for contact, but injured forwards Tyler Johnson (right foot) and Anthony Beauvillier (left wrist). and defenseman Connor Murphy (groin) may be nearing returns.