Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard will play the final game of his first NHL season on Thursday at Los Angeles. Connor Bedard set a Blackhawks rookie shots record on Friday, reaching 204 for the season. USA Today Network, Jamie Sabau [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NzAxNDgyNDYzMzcyNzQx/usatsi_23011319_168401008_lowres.jpg] Connor Bedard set a Blackhawks rookie shots record on Friday, reaching 204 for the season. USA Today Network, Jamie Sabau An eventful year that saw hockey's next generational talent transition from the WHL through the NHL Draft to the Blackhawks — and then try to skate his way through an often challenging 2023-24 schedule— will be over. Like that. The curtail falls. The act was more tragic than triumphant for 31st place Chicago. Even if Bedard will finish as the NHL rookie scoring leader at just under a point-per-game pace. "It's pretty wild, just looking back, all the chaos last summer and the start of the year," Bedard said last week. "It's all kind of wrapping up. It's weird. It's sad. You never want to stop playing of course." See following video. Connor Bedard is sad the 2023-24 season is ending. He's mum on whether he want to play in the IIHF World Championships in Prague. Cold turkey for hockey's most prominent, most ice-addicted rink rat? This 18-year-old was bugging everyone to get back on his skates within days after suffering a broken jaw in New Jersey on Brendan Smith's hit on Jan. 5. He did have to sit out 14 games, however. Bedard was nailed by Brendan Smith in New Jersey on Jan. 5. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NTgwOTM5NDU0NDg5OTE1/bedard-hit-nj-smith.png] Bedard was nailed by Brendan Smith in New Jersey on Jan. 5. Bedard and his hockey buddies in the Vancouver area rent ice in the summer for 3-on-3 and other fast-paced shinny sessions to keep their wheels rolling and practice their moves. "You're still on the rink and stuff and we've got a good group of guys back home," Bedard said. "We play 3-on-3 and stuff and we're going pretty hard. But there's nothing that simulates a game, and the adrenaline and competitiveness of that. "You miss it a lot and try to take advantage of it while you're playing and make the most it, for sure." BEDARD MUM ON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PRAGUE: OTHER BLACKHAWKS WANT TO GO The Blackhawks were never in the playoff picture and above .500 only once — following a 4-2 opening night win at Pittsburgh on Oct. 10. Bedard has been circumspect when it come to playing for Canada at the upcoming IIHF World Championships, which open May 10 in Prague. "I'm gonna' worry about that stuff after the year if it comes," Bedard said. "I'm just thinking about being here right now." Fellow Blackhawks rookie and WHL product, defenseman Kevin Korchinski, said he'd be delighted and ready to play for Canada at the World Championships. "Of course, representing your country is special," Korchinski said. "Playing against the best players in the world is going to help you learn. I've definitely got a lot left in the tank." Blackhawks No. 1 goalie Petr Mrazek, is from Prague. The 32-year-old not only hopes to play for Czechia after his resurgent season, he'd like to show some of his Blackhawks teammates around his hometown during the tournament. Defenseman Seth Jones is expected to play for Team USA. See video. Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek wants to play for Czechia at the IIFH World Championships and would love to show Blackhawks teammates around his hometown of Prague.
