Connor Bedard played in his first preseason game with the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, and fans of the Original Six franchise were ready.

So was Bedard, who had two assists in ChicagoB次元官网网址檚 2-1 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues.

B次元官网网址淚 felt pretty good and comfortable and stuff, but I think I could do a lot better,B次元官网网址� Bedard said. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 know if there was a surprise. Obviously less room, but thatB次元官网网址檚 nothing I didnB次元官网网址檛 expect, so just kind of get used to it here.B次元官网网址�

The 18-year-old center made a smooth pass to set up Andreas AthanasiouB次元官网网址檚 goal at 4:02 of the extra period. Bedard dished from the right side, and Athanasiou flipped in a backhander.

Bedard also picked up an assist on Philipp KurashevB次元官网网址檚 second-period goal. He finished with five shots and 21:42 of ice time.

The two lower levels of the United Center were mostly full for the exhibition matchup. The team closed off the upper deck.

Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson started Bedard on a line with wingers Taylor Hall and Ryan Donato. The rookie got the loudest cheers of any player when his name was announced before the game.

BedardB次元官网网址檚 No. 98 jersey was everywhere as fans walked along the United Center concourses prior to the opening faceoff B次元官网网址� won by Bedard. Even more fans were contemplating a Bedard jersey B次元官网网址� at $250 for an authentic version and $200 for a replica B次元官网网址� at the main team store and smaller stands.

Jaime Faulkner, the president of business operations for the Blackhawks, said the team is already seeing a bottom-line boost from Bedard off the ice.

She said in an email that the team expects to sell up to 10% more tickets overall than in 2022-23 and has nearly doubled full and partial season-ticket sales.

In the first three months of the teamB次元官网网址檚 fiscal 2023-24 season, the team has doubled merchandise sales compared to the same timeframe in 2022-23. Of the B次元官网网址渢housandsB次元官网网址� of Bedard jerseys sold, almost 85% have been the pricier authentics, Faulkner said.

Chicago went 26-49-7 last season, and then used a surprise win in the NHL draft lottery to take the with the . Bedard, who is from North Vancouver, British Columbia, wonB次元官网网址檛 play in an official game until the Blackhawks open the regular season at Pittsburgh on Oct. 10.

BedardB次元官网网址檚 effect on Chicago is one of the NHLB次元官网网址檚 most anticipated storylines heading into the season. He had 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games in his final season with the Regina Pats, the most points in the Western Hockey League since 1995-96. He also was the tournament MVP when he helped Canada win gold at the in January.

He has been compared to Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, and he is the favorite for the Calder Trophy for NHL rookie of the year.

B次元官网网址淚 mentioned before, heB次元官网网址檚 not slipping into the league unnoticed or unknown,B次元官网网址� Richardson said. B次元官网网址淪o people are ready for him, which is going to present some challenges for him.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淏ut it also gives him an opportunity where people are going to try to overplay him,B次元官网网址� Richardson added. B次元官网网址淓verybody knows him as a shooter, but he can really make plays and see the ice.B次元官网网址�

Bedard got his first real test Thursday night against an opposing lineup made up of mostly NHL-caliber players.

B次元官网网址淚 was like talking to my dad today and IB次元官网网址檓, like, B次元官网网址業 get to play in the United Center and thatB次元官网网址檚 pretty unreal,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Bedard said. B次元官网网址淚 think thatB次元官网网址檚 big to see the fans and everything, and then play against a lot guys that are trying to make the NHL and guys who have played in the NHL and stuff.B次元官网网址�

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