Bedard, the No. 1 draft pick of 2023 and Celebrini, the presumptive No. 1 selection in 2024, are both from the Vancouver area. Both could be Blackhawks next season
Connor Bedard, the NHL's No. 1 draft pick of 2023, offered some advice for Macklin Celebrini, the presumptive top selection in 2024.
And that's besides not paying too much attention to media.
"Just play the game. Have fun," Bedard said before the Blackhawks met the Sharks in San Jose on Saturday. "That's kind of the main thing.
"There's so much that goes on outside that's great, but some of it isn't that much fun. When you actually get on the ice and are doing what you love, that's the best part of your day. That's kind of how I approached it, I'd say." See video,
The Blackhawks and Bedard went on to beat the Sharks, the only NHL team with a worse record than Chicago, 5-4 in overtime on Saturday. Seth Jones' second goal of the game won it 18 seconds into the extra period to cap the Blackhawks' rally from a four-goal deficit.
The biggest thing at stake in the game was positioning for the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery. The team that finishes 32nd in the 32-team NHL will have 25.5% odds of winning the lottery and a shot at top prospect Celebrini of Boston University. The 31st-place team will have a 13.5% chance.
Celebrini had a goal in BU's 6-2 loss to Boston College in the Hockey East Tournament finals on Saturday to up his freshman season totals to 31 goals and 58 points in 35 games. The Terriers (26-9-2) and Celebrini will advance to the NCAA Tournament despite falling to the arch-rival Eagles (31-5-1) before 17,850 the TD Garden.
Chicago finished 30th last season and with 11.5% odds, but won the lottery and drafted Bedard with the first pick. He leads rookie with 21 goals and 54 points in 56 games.
Bedard and Celebrini Future Teammates?
So how about Bedard and Celebrini as teammates on the Blackhawks? It's possible.
"Like I said, we're all focused on today," Bedard said with a grin.
Both the 18-year-old Bedard and 17-year-old Celebrini are from North Vancouver, British Columbia. The two played together when they were very young, "like 6, 7 years old," Bedard said.
When Celebrini was 12, his father Rick became director of sports medicine and performance for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and remains with the basketball team. After the family relocated, Macklin suited up for the San Jose Jr. Sharks’ U-14 squad.
Bedard has kept his eye on Celebrini's super season. He suggested Celebrini should enjoy his run with Boston University, which will extend to the NCAA Tournament regardless of the outcome of the Hockey East final. See video.