Connor Bedard Gives Advice To Future No. 1 Overall Picks; Talks Equipment Decisions
As the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks get set to play in the third Macklin Celebrini Bowl, 2023 No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard shared some advice for Celebrini and future No. 1 picks.
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports - Connor Bedard Gives Advice To Future No. 1 Overall Picks; Talks Equipment DecisionsAs the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks get set to play in the third Macklin Celebrini Bowl, 2023 No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard shared some advice for Celebrini and future No. 1 picks.
"Just have fun with it. There's a lot of stuff off the ice that you're doing, and that's great, but stay focused on what's important," Bedard said. Just try not to let it all slip by—your draft and your first game, those cool moments. Just enjoy that and just play hockey. Be confident."
Bedard has enjoyed a highly successful rookie season despite missing time with a broken jaw. He has 54 points (21 goals, 33 assists) in 56 games.
Macklin Celebrini is the projected first pick in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft. Bedard said he shouldn't think about the NHL until his college season ends.
"I think he should just focus on Boston University and what they're doing. I mean, he's in a cool spot, and they're trying to do something special with winning a National Championship," Bedard said. "That's what he should be thinking about right now, and I'm sure he is. Once that passes, just kind of enjoy the moment [and] have fun. He's a great player. He's going to do great things."
The Sharks and Blackhawks are the NHL's bottom two teams, and tonight's result could heavily impact each team's odds of landing the No. 1 pick. Bedard didn't want to think about that.
Bedard joked with the media about how Celebrini could manage expectations by saying, "Don't listen to you guys," he was referring to the media.
Bedard partnered with Sherwood for his stick. His shot and hands are just two of the many skills that make him special. He told THN today that his stick has 70 flex and a mid-kick point.
"Whatever feels comfortable, and everything I wear feels comfortable for me," Bedard explained. Everyone's different. That's what's cool about [gear], especially sticks. Everyone's got some little difference in their sticks. So it's fun to bounce ideas off each other."
Bedard has used the same blade curve for most of his playing career but would be interested in trying different NHLers' blades during the Summer.
"I think it'd be fun to kind of try stuff. It's more of a summer thing," he said. "I've only really used one [blade] my whole life, so [I'll] maybe look around [to see] what guys are using."
Minnesota Wild winger Mats Zuccarello has had reports suggest that he will change his stick blade during the season to his opponents.
"Zuccarello often used practice as a research and development session for his stick. He'd try out his teammates' and mess around with his curve. He's even taken sticks that he borrowed from opponents in a game and tested them out in practice soon after. He was never afraid to tinker," Sean Shapiro of The Athletic wrote in 2019.
While Bedard won't do the same mid-season, he could get some ideas over the Summer.
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