What Connor Bedard hates about being an NHL player, he admits in an interview

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Joshua Deeds
November 7, 2024 (2:19 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks drafted a verifiable superstar in Connor Bedard, 1st overall in 2023. The former Regina St. Pats center was a dedicated hockey player from the start and has had a year of media frenzy surrounding him in his first season in the NHL.

His abilities, stick-handling, and consecutive 100+ point seasons in the WHL made him a top prospect for NHL clubs. Unsurprisingly, he's been a firebrand for both the Blackhawks' and the league.

Since he arrived in the NHL he's had to adjust to the lifestyle in Chicago, and being the face of this original-six franchise. A legendary franchise that has names like Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane attached.

The threat of superstardom has obligations attached sometimes, and like LeBron James, Bedard's name, image, and likeness are up for sale to the highest bidder.

Even then, he's had to lend it to a recent marketing campaign by the NHL, as they filmed a "Gen-Z" commercial with Sidney Crosby, Connor Bedard, Jack Hughes, Connor McDavid, Nick Suzuki, and Auston Matthews.

While the drive has been received well, which is a first for the NHL it could easily be accused of being dinosaurs when it comes to marketing or lack thereof. This season is a complete reversal of practices.

Bedard shared his thoughts about being a part of the commercial.

He wasn't happy with the job and didn't feel comfortable in front of the camera. Who can blame him really?

"It was fine. It was in Vegas (during the player media tour), we were just going station to station. But it turned out really well, I think. People enjoyed it. I think the NHL is doing a lot of stuff like that, trying to promote us off the ice, as well, a little bit. I think they did a good job," Bedard said.

"It's not fun, really. But it's part of it. It's not what I love to do. If I did, I'd be an actor. But I'm a hockey player. It's not my No. 1 thing, but it's fine."

The thing about being a nascent superstar in the NHL means you're always going to have media and fans asking for something. Partnerships are available, and the ability to plaster your face on products to sell by the truckload.

While we'd never begrudge him for his success, the burden of being a successful hockey player also entails maintaining a personality and being a product as well.

Bedard isn't a terrible person for realizing he'd rather be on the ice, it really shows how much of an introvert he is.

That is unless he's discussing fantasy football, all bets are off.