Auston Matthews knows a little bit about what Connor Bedard has been going through to open his NHL career.

A player dubbed as a potential B次元官网网址淣ext OneB次元官网网址� since age 13, the top pick at JuneB次元官网网址檚 draft ran a gauntlet through his first four professional games.

Bedard kicked things off by facing childhood idol Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins in his debut before visiting a trio of Original Six teams B次元官网网址� the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs.

B次元官网网址淭hey sure started him off on the all-circus tour,B次元官网网址� Matthews, selected No. 1 by Toronto in 2016, said with a smile.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot, but in the end you just want to play hockey.B次元官网网址�

Bedard has done that, and a lot more, just over a week into his NHL career.

The 18-year-old centre from North Vancouver, B.C., picked up his first point against his hero, scored his first goal against the Bruins, was booed by Montreal fans in a show of respect, and suited up in Toronto under the bright lights of the gameB次元官网网址檚 biggest media market.

With all that came a lot of attention from media and fans.

Too much at times, according to Blackhawks winger Taylor Hall.

B次元官网网址淏ut I think he understands his role as a major ambassador for the game of hockey, and heB次元官网网址檚 handling it so well,B次元官网网址� said the top pick in 2010. B次元官网网址淗e doesnB次元官网网址檛 seem to be fazed by it.B次元官网网址�

Bedard said he was prepared for the hype machine early in the schedule, which will see Chicago play one more road game Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche, prior to making his first regular-season appearance at the United Center when the Blackhawks host the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.

B次元官网网址淎 little crazier just because people havenB次元官网网址檛 talked to you or seen you play,B次元官网网址� Bedard said of the blitz on his time. B次元官网网址淛ust enjoying it B次元官网网址� living out a dream right now.B次元官网网址�

From where Hall sits, there needs to be a balance between growing the game and letting the sportB次元官网网址檚 next big thing breathe.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 going to get used to it,B次元官网网址� Hall said. B次元官网网址淭he NHL is obviously trying to promote their stars in a different way, on so many different streaming platforms and everything thatB次元官网网址檚 going on now.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 different, but I think weB次元官网网址檙e pretty in awe of what heB次元官网网址檚 done so far.B次元官网网址�

Bedard picked up points in his first three games for a rebuilding Chicago team thatB次元官网网址檚 impressed with two wins and two losses to start the year, including MondayB次元官网网址檚 4-1 victory over the Leafs.

The Blackhawks didnB次元官网网址檛 hold a morning skate before that one in Toronto, and didnB次元官网网址檛 make Bedard available to the media afterwards, but his head coach has been impressed by how heB次元官网网址檚 handled the attention.

B次元官网网址淰ery mature at this part of the game, which is great for him because he has to go through it,B次元官网网址� Chicago bench boss Luke Richardson said. B次元官网网址淏ut lots of help in the room as well with the former No. 1 picks overall and former MVPs and a Stanley Cup winner. A lot of those guys are surrounding him with a lot of great advice.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淜id is unbelievable,B次元官网网址� Blackhawks forward MacKenzie Entwistle added. B次元官网网址淣ot only as a player, but also as a person. For him to start on the road in pretty tough cities to play in, it just shows the character of who he is.B次元官网网址�

Toronto captain John Tavares likened BedardB次元官网网址檚 demeanour to the youngsterB次元官网网址檚 favourite player growing up.

B次元官网网址淩eminds me of Sid,B次元官网网址� said the No. 1 selection in 2009.

B次元官网网址淵ou guys arenB次元官网网址檛 easy to please,B次元官网网址� Leafs winger Mitch Marner said of the media. B次元官网网址淗e hasnB次元官网网址檛 lost himself in it.B次元官网网址�

Bedard has made a point to embrace the madness.

B次元官网网址淵ou never know what to expect,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hen I found out we started on this trip, I was really excited for all the home openers and Canadian markets. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a lot of fun. ThereB次元官网网址檚 been a lot of media, a lot of attention on it, but IB次元官网网址檓 just focused on playing hockey.

B次元官网网址淵ou have to enjoy the experience.B次元官网网址�

Matthews, who doesnB次元官网网址檛 know Bedard on a personal level, said thatB次元官网网址檚 the best way to approach this new, hectic chapter.

B次元官网网址淕ood head on his shoulders,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎n exciting time in your life. Gotta have fun with it.B次元官网网址�

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