"Not what I love to do" - Connor Bedard shares uncomfortable aspect of NHL he detests
Before the 2024-25 NHL season, Connor Bedard joined several NHL stars in the all-new Gen-Z NHL commercial. The commercial also featured young standouts Jack Hughes and Nick Suzuki, and NHL stars Auston Matthews and Sidney Crosby.
While the commercial was a huge hit with fans, Bedard wasn't a huge fan of the off-ice media. In an interview with The Athletic, he said that although media is part of his job, it isn't something he particularly enjoys doing.
Although he has been in the spotlight since he was a teenager, and grew up with the eyes of the NHL community on him, being in front of a camera seems like more of an obligation.
"It was fine. It was in Vegas (during the player media tour), we were just going station to station. But it turned out really well, I think. People enjoyed it. I think the NHL is doing a lot of stuff like that, trying to promote us off the ice, as well, a little bit. I think they did a good job," Bedard said.
"It’s not fun, really. But it’s part of it. It’s not what I love to do. If I did, I’d be an actor. But I’m a hockey player. It’s not my No. 1 thing, but it’s fine."
Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks look to make it three straight tonight after historic three-assist game on Sunday
Tonight, Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks will look to make it three straight after picking up back-to-back wins last week. Since going on a four-game skid last month, Chicago has won three of their last four games, starting November with two straight.
On Nov. 2 they overcame a 2–0 deficit heading into the third, ultimately picking up a 4–3 shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings. Then, on Sunday, the team made it two straight with a 4–2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, where Bedard cemented his place in Blackhawks history again.
With his second career three-assist game, he is now tied with Chicago legends Eddie Olczyk, Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull for the most three-assist games by a teenager.
He has 12 points this season, with three goals and nine assists over 13 games following a rookie year that saw him win the Calder Trophy.
Following tonight's game against the Red Wings, Bedard and the Blackhawks will be back in action on Thursday in the second leg of a back-to-back when they face off with the Dallas Stars.