Unexpectedly, Connor Bedard is quite private.

PUBLICATION

Ryan Hall
September 7, 2023 (1:17)

SHARE THIS STORY

As an NHL rookie, players like Connor Bedard will likely room with an NHL star to help mentor him and prepare him to become the player they all expect him to be. There are numerous components to being an NHL star, including how to conduct yourself, your business with the media, your teammates, your head coach, and your coaching staff.

Handling the fans, especially when times are good and when times are not so good, is also a crucial aspect. The Blackhawks are currently in a state of not being a great team as they are in the process of rebuilding their core and becoming a playoff threat in the future.

During an interview with The Athletic, Bedard was asked who he was going to be rooming with, to which he provided very little information.

He simply stated,

"It's personal."

With this concise response, it seems that Bedard would like to maintain some privacy with the media as he is still learning how to handle difficult questions.

It was widely known that when Sidney Crosby broke into the league, he roomed with Penguins centerman Mario Lemieux, who was then the owner of the team.

As the camp was concluding at the Capitals' practice facility in Arlington, VA, Bedard was secretly escorted out of the rink to an Arlington hotel. He explained that the attention and spotlight of the Chicago Blackhawks don't faze him that much.

"A lot of guys deal with that. I don't like to talk about that too much"

It's just in interviews,» he says with a knowing grin. «People don't see the behind-the-scenes stuff. I'm not saying that I'm not a calm guy. I think I am. But I care so much about hockey. I expect a lot of myself, and I want to do well and help my team win. But when I'm getting asked questions, it's just, you know, giving an answer. I don't want to sound rude at all, but what the outside world and reporters and whatnot say, it doesn't really have any effect on me. It's great for the game to have (people talking about hockey), but for me, I focus on myself, my team and my family.

With training camp looming for all NHL organizations, slated to begin on September 21st and end on September 24th, Bedard is going to be front and center with the entire media corps as he will be entertaining questions non-stop for the rest of his time in the NHL. Buckle up, Connor; enjoy your dream.