“I want to play a game so bad” – NBC Chicago

Connor Bedard will make his unofficial debut with the Chicago Blackhawks this weekend in Minnesota during the 2023 Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase featuring some of the club’s top prospects. Chicago will face St. Louis on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Minnesota on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Bédard is expected to play in at least one of the games – it appears to be Saturday – and the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL draft is desperately looking forward to it.

“I really want to play a match,” said Bédard. “It’s been so long, so I’m really excited for it.”

Part of the reason Bedard wants to play is because he feels it will best prepare him for NHL training camp, which begins Sept. 21. The other reason is that he doesn’t really want special treatment. He wants to be treated like everyone else.

“I think that’s what will prepare me, to be honest with you,” Bédard said. “I haven’t played a game in a long time and that’s what I want to do. And I’m a rookie, just like any other guy here.”

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