"He had some of the same experiences": Connor Bedard singles out veteran teammate for mentoring his rookie year progression

By Abhilasha Aditi

Modified Nov 02, 2024 21:10 GMT

In the Oct. 30 episode of "Daily Faceoff," Connor Bedard discussed his rookie season. He said Taylor Hall, known as "Hallsy," greatly helped him. Hall, a first-round pick himself, understood the challenges Bedard faced, and his advice was important for Bedard's development.

“They've texted or I've seen them at camps or whatever. And, you know, they give that advice, but in the end, it's about experiencing it really,” Bedard said. (23:16)

With Hall around, Bedard could learn from someone who has been through the same situation.

"There's only so much someone can tell you. I thought Halsey was really good with it. With me, he he was obviously a first overall pick, and he had some of the same experiences. So yet, having him in house and getting to kind of talk me through some stuff was good, but, but those guys been good for sure," Bedard said.

Hall's guidance is important now. A veteran like Hall can help Bedard learn the game and teach how to stay strong through a season's ups and downs.

Bedard's sophomore season has been inconsistent. In the eight games the Blackhawks lost, he scored two goals and had two assists, totaling four points. His minus-5 rating showed the team's struggles. He played over 20 minutes on average and took 31 shots in those games.

In the three games the Blackhawks won, Bedard performed better. He scored one goal and had four assists, showing he can step up when needed.

Regarding his away games, Bedard scored two goals and had four assists for six points, with a plus-1 rating. This shows he can contribute even in tough situations. He averaged about 19 minutes of ice time, showing that coaches trust him.

Connor Bedard addressed frustrations with Blackhawks' performance after loss to Stars

Connor Bedard displayed frustration after the Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Dallas Stars. He was asked about being competitive against a top team.

“No,” Bedard said (via chicagotribune.com). “We’re not just going to be happy that we stayed in a game. We’re all NHL players. That’s not the goal, you know? It’s frustrating.

Despite the Blackhawks' tough start, Bedard believes they have been competitive and could have won more games. He knows the team needs to improve but is focused on handling his feelings after losses. Now Bedard is starting to find his voice in the locker room. He feels more comfortable speaking up and wants to help the team grow.