Connor Bedard opens up about playing in his hometown of Vancouver for the first time

Connor Bedard opens up about playing in his hometown (Image Source: IMAGN)

Connor Bedard is set to play in his first NHL game in his hometown of Vancouver this Saturday when the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.

The 19-year-old phenom was selected No. 1 overall by the Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL draft and has been living up to the hype, leading all rookies in points last season.

Saturday's game marks a monumental moment for the North Vancouver native to play as an NHL player in the city he grew up in.

"It's pretty cool, I have a lot of friends and family who will be there watching," Bedard said via NHL.com. "It'll be different than playing on the road, just knowing that I'm playing in my hometown."