The Chicago Blackhawks rookie said he got a kick out of fans in Montréal trying to rile him. Story with videos.
Fans at the Bell Centre booed Connor Bedard every time the touted Blackhawks rookie touched the puck in the first period of Saturday's Hockey Night in Canada matchup between Chicago and Montréal.
The Canadiens customers relented in the second, only because the home team took charge with three straight goals en route to a 3-2 win. But the boos for Bedard, the ultra-hyped top NHL draft pick of 2023, returned in the third.
Jeering an opponent's top or big-name player to try to rile them is an older tactic than, well, the NHL. So the the loud, taunting chorus was befitting, traditional fan self-amusement in an Original Six meeting.
And the 18-year-old Bedard got a kick out of it, especially because "I haven't done anything," he said. Bedard had an assist late in Saturday's game, giving him a point in each of his first three NHL contests, as Chicago dropped to 1-2.
So bring it on, says the league most anticipated first-year player since Edmonton's Connor McDavid in 2010. See the video below:
Chicago coach Luke Richardson loved it to.
The former NHL defenseman and Canadiens assistant coach said Habs fans were just trying give their team an edge, while noting they probably cheered for Bedard as he led Canada to a gold medal in last winter's World Junior Championships. See video below:
Let's see if "Boo-Bedard" extends elsewhere around the NHL. The Blackhawks skate at Toronto on Monday night.
Expect louder catcalls and jeers at the United Center from Chicago fans if the Blackhawks play as poorly in their home opener against Vegas next Saturday as they did in the second period against the Canadiens.