CHICAGO --Connor Bedard said he'd been to Chicago only once before this "when I was pretty young."
"I don't remember it too well," he said.
This time around promises to be a lot more memorable.
The Connor Bedard era has begun for the Chicago Blackhawks, who introduced the No. 1 pick in the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at a welcome event at their practice facility Friday.
"It's super exciting," said Bedard, a center who was joined by five of the Blackhawks' 11 selections from the 2023 draft, held Wednesday and Thursday in Nashville: center Oliver Moore (first round, No. 19), goalie Adam Gajan (second round, No. 35), right wing Martin Misiak (second round, No. 55), left wing Nick Lardis (third round, No. 67) and center Milton Oscarson (sixth round, No. 167).
"We've been talking about it. To be here in the city, seeing these people showing support to us and the franchise, I can't really put into words how it feels to get started and have this journey begin for all of us. I'm super pumped to be part of the Blackhawks organization."
Bedard led the Western Hockey League in goals (71), points (143), shots on goal (360), points per game (2.51) and goals per game (1.24) in 57 regular-season games with Regina this season. He also tied for the WHL lead in assists (72) and game-winning goals (11).
Now the 17-year-old will prepare to make the jump to the NHL. His first step was beginning development camp with the Blackhawks on Friday. Bedard is one of 20 players on the roster for the camp, which runs through July 6.
"I've never experienced that level," he said. "For me, it's a big summer for myself to try to make the team and play in the League, of course. Obviously, it's very fast, everyone's bigger, stronger. So I think for me, getting a little faster. It's hard to say when I haven't experienced that level yet, but I'll try to go out there, play my game and see what happens."
Bedard said he received two memorable text messages after he was drafted Wednesday night. One was from Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby, who was Bedard's favorite player growing up and who he'll likely be facing when Chicago opens its season at Pittsburgh on Oct. 10.
The other text came from forward Patrick Kane, the previous Blackhawks' No. 1 pick (2007 NHL Draft), who, along with center Jonathan Toews, was a cornerstone of Chicago's Stanley Cup championship teams in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
Bedard is expected to become the next face of the Blackhawks after the departures of Kane and Toews. Kane was traded to the New York Rangers on Feb. 28 and can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. The Blackhawks announced April 13 that they would not re-sign Toews, their captain since the 2008-09 season. He also is a pending unrestricted free agent.
It's a good deal of pressure for Bedard, and his every move on and off the ice will be a focal point. The good thing for Bedard, the most highly touted No. 1 pick in the League since Connor McDavid was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Draft, is that he's used to this.
"It's been a bit of a gradual growth of attention and the outside noise since I was 11 or 12 years old," Bedard said. "So, it wasn't really an overnight thing. For me, it's just staying focused on what's important, hockey, people close to me and teammates and everything. That's my focus and try not to worry about the outside stuff too much."
