Connor Bedard began his NHL career with several failures.
What caught most attention was the upward lap without a helmet.
For this reason, the 18-year-old center is subject to a $2,500 fine.
Summer draft pick Connor Bedard has made his NHL debut.
All the focus was on one of the greatest hockey talents of all time when the Chicago Blackhawks visited the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The right-shooting Canadian looked nervous and eager to warm up.
He forgot the club in the locker room on his way out to the players’ aisle.
He did not wear a helmet during the traditional novice snowboard course.
He fumbled the ball and missed the first pass of the warm-up.
“You’ll probably get trolled for it.”
In videos released by the NHL, among others, Connor Bedard was seen greeting his teammates, before realizing he had forgotten his stick and ran to the locker room to retrieve it.
– I don’t know where it came from, it was in the room and I went to get it, says Connor Bedard.
Connor Bedard and Kevin Korczynski both made the rookie rounds without helmets, which could put them at risk of a SEK 27,000 fine.
Older players are still allowed to warm up without a helmet, but for players who entered the league after the 2019(2020) season, head protection is required.
The question is still whether this was a conscious choice by the Chicago Blackhawks.
– Driving without a helmet was fun and great. I enjoyed that moment,” says Connor Bedard.
The first pass in front of the crowd wasn’t what it should have been either.
-I missed the pass miserably. “Now I’m being trolled online for it, but I’ll take it,” says Connor Bedard.
Chills at the historical moment
The Chicago Blackhawks won the game 4-2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins as Erik Karlsson scored his first game.
Connor Bedard was the center in the first set and provided an assist until Ryan Donato cut it to 2-1.
The match started with Connor Bedard having to eliminate his childhood idol Sidney Crosby.
Referee Kelly Sutherland released the puck on the draw.
– Hi Sid, welcome back for another season.
– Connor, welcome to the NHL guy.
– Okay guys, it’s show time. Let’s have a great game.
Sidney Crosby won the draw, and Connor Bedard admitted it was a big moment and he was nervous.
Connor Bedard was 80 days old when Sidney Crosby made his NHL debut.
