Connor Bedard and more top prospects took over MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Tuesday.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — After Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals held an informal skate on Tuesday, MedStar Capitals Iceplex was turned over to the NHL's rising stars as Connor Bedard and more took part in the annual NHLPA Rookie Showcase to pose for trading card photos, have some fun on the ice and churn out some content.
Bedard also took the ice in full Blackhawks gear and posed for his trading cards, rocking the iconic uniform and his Sher-Wood gear to put it all together. He also showed off his blistering shot and iconic moves. He also took the time to discuss the pressure he faces ahead of his NHL debut, how his preparation has been different and, of course, fun chatter about his trading cards (The Hockey News reminded him that he could collect and sign his own cards and build a worthwhile collection around that).
"No offense, but what you guys say doesn't affect my day-to-day life," Bedard said to journalists with a smile. "And you know, I'm worried about my expectations of myself and teammates and everything. I'm trying to be the best version of myself every day, and I love the game of hockey. So maybe that outside noise isn't really pressure pressure; it's just kind of something that's there."
"I think kind of every small thing is a little weird, you know, kind of when you get close to it," he added about the hype and getting his own rookie card. "I don't know. I haven't thought about it too much. But I think if I were to open a pack or see myself in it, it would be really crazy."
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All photos are by Sammi Silber of The Hockey News. Please do not repost or share without the consent of the rights holder.
In addition to Bedard, Capitals prospect and Calder Cup champion Vincent Iorio also took the time to chat and showcase his talent while also posing with his new number 2. It's the fourth time his number has changed in D.C.; his No. 6 that he wore while called up last year was given to Joel Edmundson. He'd asked for 14, but that is already assigned to Alexander Suzdalev, so he landed on No. 2.
Iorio also reflected on the "ups and downs" of his first pro season that ended with an AHL title while also sharing the hilarious story behind why he didn't get his day with the Cup.
Other participants included Logan Cooley, Leo Carlsson, Matthew Knies and more.
Here is the full list of those who attended. Adam Fantilli did not make it due to a scheduling conflict.
Leo Carlsson (Anaheim Ducks), Pavel Mintyukov (Anaheim Ducks), Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes), Conor Geekie (Arizona Coyotes), Matthew Savoie (Buffalo Sabres), Matthew Coronato (Calgary Flames), Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames), Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks), Kevin Korchinski (Chicago Blackhawks), Denton Mateychuk (Columbus Blue Jackets), Stanislav Svozil (Columbus Blue Jackets), Logan Stankoven (Dallas Stars), Sebastian Cossa (Detroit Red Wings), Marco Kasper (Detroit Red Wings), Xavier Bourgault (Edmonton Oilers), Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild), Jesper Wallstedt (Minnesota Wild), Owen Beck (Montreal Canadiens), Sean Farrell (Montreal Canadiens), Filip Mesar (Montreal Canadiens), Luke Evangelista (Nashville Predators), William Dufour (New York Islanders), Will Cuylle (New York Rangers), Brennan Othmann (New York Rangers), Tyler Boucher (Ottawa Senators), Ridly Greig (Ottawa Senators), Tyson Foerster (Philadelphia Flyers), Ozzy Weisblatt (San Jose Sharks), Ryker Evans (Seattle Kraken), Tye Kartye (Seattle Kraken), Zachary Bolduc (St. Louis Blues), Zach Dean (St. Louis Blues), Matthew Knies (Toronto Maple Leafs), Vincent Iorio (Washington Capitals).