Article content material
TJ Brodie felt like he had travelled again in time. It was, as the previous Calgary Flames defenceman described it, “kind of deja vu for me.”
As Brodie and his Chicago Blackhawks teammates emerged Monday from the locker-room space at WinSport’s Markin MacPhail Centre, they have been greeted by a crowd of enthusiastic younger followers, many simply off the ice from their very own minor-hockey video games and every angling for an autograph or selfie and even only a fist-bump from one of many NHL’s new superstars.
Commercial 2
Article content material
It was precisely the kind of scene that you simply see when the house group practises at this always-happening facility on the west fringe of Calgary. Brodie can attest to that.
Besides that, on this present day, the Flames have been nowhere to be discovered. On this case, the marquee attraction was Blackhawks wunderkind Connor Bedard.
This generational-talent — not a time period that’s thrown round evenly — is on the town for Tuesday’s conflict with the undefeated Flames (7 p.m. MT, Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan). It’s going to mark his first professional recreation on the Saddledome.
“It’s loopy, in all places we go,” stated ace broadcaster Rick Ball, who was the TV voice of the Flames for the previous decade earlier than shifting to Chicago over the summer season to change into the brand new play-by-play man for the Blackhawks. “It’s superb how many individuals need to catch a glimpse of Connor Bedard. He’s an attraction, for positive. And he simply turned 19 a few months in the past. You neglect how younger he’s. He’s only a child. All of the strain on him, I believe he’s dealt with it very effectively. The expectations are sky-high and the eye has gotta be crushing generally, however he offers with it like a professional. That claims loads about his character.”
Midday Information Roundup
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
Certainly, Bedard shrugged off Monday’s hubbub, insisting “there’s quantity of men (within the NHL) that may get a little bit of that.”
The reigning Calder Trophy winner reminded that the Saddledome was sold-out in February 2023 when the Hitmen hosted his Regina Pats in Western Hockey League motion, pointing to that as proof “they’re clearly enthusiastic about hockey in Canada and right here in Calgary.”
“It’s fairly neat to have youngsters look as much as you and be excited to observe you observe,” stated Bedard, who hails from North Vancouver, B.C., and was the first-overall choose within the 2023 NHL Draft. “We have been doing a pair forecheck drills they usually have been excited to be watching. So it’s nice, simply getting that love and help.”
Whether or not Bedard will admit it or not, not many guests get this kind of reception.
And this hockey-crazed metropolis has been ready just a little longer than anticipated. When the Blackhawks rolled via in January, the rising-star centre was sidelined by a damaged jaw.
In 71 appearances to date on the NHL stage, together with three this season, Bedard has notched 23 targets and 43 assists. He was named first star after a three-point outburst in Saturday’s 5-2 victory over the Oilers in Edmonton and can undoubtedly be a focus of Tuesday’s pre-game prep for the home-side.
Commercial 4
Article content material
The Blackhawks, after ending with the second-worst document within the league final winter, are 1-1-1 this fall.
“We all know they’re going to play exhausting,” Bedard stated of the Flames, out to a 3-0 begin after victories over the Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers and arch-rival Oilers. “I believe they’re actually decided this yr. I’ve watched a few their video games and simply how they work, how detailed they’re, I believe that’s sort of what we will anticipate (Tuesday). There’s actually going to be no straightforward probabilities offensively. We’re going to must work for it.
“With our season final yr and the way disenchanted we have been about that, clearly we have been coming into this yr and desirous to get loads higher,” he added. “And I do know for them, lots of people had doubted them to begin the yr they usually began off sturdy. It’s three video games, so it’s not an enormous deal, however I’m positive they’re fairly fired up going into every recreation, and so are we.”
If Monday’s scene at WinSport is any indication, there can be a number of fired-up followers displaying up for this battle between the Flames and Blackhawks.
Most can be there to root for the locals, however they’re additionally anticipating that first glimpse of Bedard.
Commercial 5
Article content material
“His hockey sense is off-the-charts. His playmaking skill is world-class. He has a wonderful shot,” Ball stated of No. 98. “He possibly doesn’t leap at you want Connor McDavid does, as a result of his skating isn’t at that different stage. Like, McDavid is so significantly better than all people else, it’s apparent. Bedard is extra refined, however his skill-set is unimaginable and he’s so pushed. He’s the final man off the ice each observe. It’s change into a joke in Chicago with the media as a result of they all the time have to attend for him to come back off. All of them need to discuss to him, and he’s all the time on the market for 20 minutes longer than anyone else. It reveals you what his motivation is like and his work ethic.
“I’ve been very impressed. And the best way he performed towards the Oilers on Saturday, I believe it gave me a glimpse into him as a participant. As a result of in that scenario, a battle with the most effective participant within the league and also you’re the supposed subsequent man, a lesser participant when it comes to psychological toughness may have buckled. And Bedard was the most effective participant on the ice, in my thoughts. That tells me loads about his character, on prime of the expertise. That spoke loads to me.”
Article content material
