Connor Bedard lining up for a faceoff during an NHL game with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Photo credit: Sportsnet

Chicago Blackhawks Place Strange Mandate On Rookie Connor Bedard

Published December 30, 2023 at 8:57 PM
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Today it was announced that a strange mandate was placed on Connor Bedard by the Blackhawks coaching staff. This comes after Bedard's actions necessitated the action to take place.

Blackhawks Place Strange Mandate On Bedard



This morning the Chicago Blackhawks had a practice. Major concern sparked when rookie superstar was not seen on the ice. An interaction between Blackhawks reporter Ben Pope and a fan seems to potentially explain Bedard's absence.

a fan stated:


'No Bedard? Is that a first?'

Pope of Chicago Suntimes responded with:

'Yeah I'm shocked he's not out there. They might have told him he has to rest.'

As everyone around the game of hockey knows Connor Bedard has a work ethic that cannot be matched by many. The epic story of Bedard taking his hockey stick on a family vacation to Hawaii proved this long before he was drafted.

Now that Bedard is under the management of the Blackhawks and they want to keep him fresh they are taking him off the ice. This comes after several days of Bedard staying on the ice so long he held up his teammates from leaving the arena.

Blackhawks Looking To Protect Bedard From Himself



In a recent interview Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson spoke about Connor Bedard's work ethic with an anecdote from one of their road trips.

According to Luke Richardson, he was caught off guard at the hotel gym when his 18-year-old rookie strolled in for some morning stretching. But that's the kind of athlete Bedard has proven to be.

"I think he's that guy. He's eager," Richardson said Sunday. "I'm in the gym at 6:30 this morning and he rolls in not too long after me and he's in there stretching in his bare feet preparing his routine before the game."

Beyond working in the gym Bedard can be seen on the Blackhawks practice ice for more than an hour after practice has concluded some days.


Whether Bedard likes it or not it seems the Chicago Blackhawks are committed to protecting their best player. Even if that means less practice time for Bedard on the ice.

As Read On - Hawks Insider - Chicago Blackhawks inform bad news to Connor Bedard
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Chicago Blackhawks Place Strange Mandate On Rookie Connor Bedard

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