It really was Connor Bedard Night around the NHL as the Chicago Blackhawks rookie got his first game action at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
While Bedard showed some pregame jitters by hilariously forgetting his hockey stick as he left the locker room, his first face-off at the game’s puck drop felt like something out of a movie.
There he was in front of the home crowd, lined up against Penguins legend Sidney Crosby as NHL referee Kelly Sutherland shared a brief-yet-perfect greeting to Bedard as he lined up across from Crosby to start the game.
“Connor. Welcome to the NHL, man,” Sutherland told Bedard in what will be a historic moment for the sport.
Goosebumps!
"Connor. Welcome to the NHL man."
This moment between the referee and No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard 🙌 @BR_OpenIce
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 11, 2023
Like, seriously, that’s just out of this world. It’s the passing of the torch from one NHL generation to the next.
Sutherland nailed the moment as Bedard and Crosby squared off with each other in what will be one of the coolest puck drops we’ll see this season.
If you’re Bedard, how could you forget this moment? It’s the perfect way to kick off your career to the NHL, and fans absolutely loved seeing this unfold.
NHL fans loved this moment.
Mic’d up ref moments like this are so cool https://t.co/MoPa3JmYRh
— Harrison Posts Words (@HarrisonTakes) October 11, 2023
I don’t follow hockey but I know Sidney Crosby and this is cool https://t.co/y8ZFcS4jSa
— Marlon (@ItsRaineyDoe) October 11, 2023
Cool moment right here.
Sidney Crosby 🤝🏾 Connor Bedard.
The bridging of two generational talents. 🔥 https://t.co/GAnbQBKlY2
— вяуαηт (@bryant_gotgame) October 11, 2023
Cool moment. Connor Bedard most exciting Chicago prospect in a while. Hopefully next year Marvin Harrison Jr.🤩 https://t.co/r7CJM5I7Wq
— NBA Revenge Game (@NBARevengeGame) October 11, 2023
This was kinda cool, honestly https://t.co/yT4bD7jPgd
— Ryan, smiling politely (@Craftylefty2126) October 11, 2023
“K guys it’s showtime, let’s have a great game.”
I LOVE that official man https://t.co/AnP26npoIp
— Writer Ville (@graycin_) October 11, 2023
That’s awesome 🏒 https://t.co/numwkvGOZ9
— Hedge (@HedgehogPlus) October 11, 2023
This was cold ngl https://t.co/HbmkWsuMvo
— Joe Stuart (@JoeStuey) October 11, 2023
Yeah this is super cool. https://t.co/TyuoYqOwJa
— 3 Point Podcast (@3pointpod) October 11, 2023
This is cool. https://t.co/IjkeGp43jx
— Sean ✍︎ (@S_Sullivan911) October 11, 2023
That’s an entrance! 😭 https://t.co/50msR2uvaz
— Trafalgar D. 1K 🃏 (@CrownMeKing____) October 11, 2023
Love it. @NHLBlackhawks https://t.co/eaJ8SRituO
— Riley Wancket (@rwancket) October 11, 2023
NHL is back babyyy https://t.co/j5HaioaMbA
— Jere (@JereLFC) October 11, 2023
What a moment!! https://t.co/AVopImTvQH
— Deric Green (@deric83green) October 11, 2023
dog. gave me chills. everyone knows he’s gonna be special. https://t.co/RC4vki6jpD
— 🏆NO-NAME DEFENSE (@NOnameDfense) October 11, 2023
And he faces off against Crosby. Love it. https://t.co/cQszrlsisg
— Tiffany (she/her) 🇨🇦❤️🇺🇦 (@ynaffit79) October 11, 2023
