FEATURE: Bedard Sets Expectations with Strong Work Ethic

With rookie camp and training camp preparations coming together, the buzz around Connor Bedard continues to grow throughout the city of Chicago and the hockey world.

While he appreciates all the admiration he's received from the fanbase, he continues to focus on his first goal to earn his roster spot with the Blackhawks when camp opens in late September.

"I'm focused on hockey and trying to be better and win games, but I think the best part is just the fanbase," Bedard said. "I'm just really looking forward to seeing that support and everything we have [going into] this year and hopefully I'm playing but that'd be awesome."

When fellow prospect Oliver Moore first met the fellow first rounder, he remarked how humble Bedard came off even with his recent selection as the No. 1 pick in this year draft, but also how infectious his work ethic can be with how seriously he takes his workouts to become a better player. For Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson, this was just the start to help change the culture to create a better drive within their system.

After working with him at this year's development camp, head coach Luke Richardson noticed the standard that Bedard set not only for himself, but his fellow prospects around him. With his exceptional motivation for skating and off-ice workouts, Richardson saw that the Vancouver native can handle the newly added attention outside of the rink.

"He's a high-end player and he's obviously exceptional talent," Richardson said. "I think he's got the personality and the drive away from the rink to handle all the extra attention that he gets, and I think he knows how to handle it and it doesn't really change him."

Another way that Davidson helped to build a strong culture off the ice was bringing in a veteran presence this offseason with Nick Foligno, Corey Perry and Taylor Hall, a former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2010, to help build a strong leadership for the younger players on the roster.

As a first overall pick for the Edmonton Oilers, the biggest piece of advice that Hall could offer is to soak up the moments as best as he can whether he is playing on the ice or the start of his career leading to his first time on the ice.

"With Connor, it's about just letting him enjoy playing and I think it's going to be a really fun year on and off the ice," Hall said. "I guess that's what I wish that I had done a little bit more was take it in enjoy the moment a bit more when I was young, because there was a lot going on."

As he continues to navigate his journey to the NHL, Bedard knows he can lean on the newest Blackhawks forward and ask questions to learn from his experience as well.

"I think just the experiences he's had in his career, and he was in my shoes [once] trying to make the NHL," Bedard said. "Just getting to watch him and ask him questions and kind of feed off some of that stuff would be really good for me."

As he continues his preparation for the upcoming training camp in late September, Bedard knows the expectations he needs to set for himself to try and earn a full-time roster spot. However, he also wants to focus on how he can better himself and not listen to what others outside of the team might have to say.

Instead of listening to what others have to say about himself, his focus will remain on what he can control from his workouts and what he finds important in his future career.

"I just focus on what I can control and what's important in my life," Bedard said. "So, for me, it's just kind of staying in tune with what I can control and what I find most important."

With a few weeks until the start of training camp, Richardson believes that the 18-year-old forward will be able to showcase the challenges he can handle as he goes up against veteran players just with his ambition alone.

"[The drive that he has,] I think that's going to push him to be even better," Richardson said. "So, I'm not really afraid of what he's going to go up against, but there's going to be some adjustments for him."