Younger Blackhawks star Connor Bedard poses problem for Canadiens

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Martin St. Louis has a variety of expertise teaching in opposition to Connor Bedard.

He’ll get an opportunity to do this once more Saturday when the Canadiens face the Chicago Blackhawks and the No. 1 general choose at this yr’s NHL Draft on the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CITY, SNE, SN360, TVA Sports activities, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM).

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St. Louis coached in opposition to Bedard for the primary time on the 2015 summer season Brick Event in Edmonton when he was behind the bench for one among his son’s groups from Connecticut. Bedard was named MVP of the event after posting 8-1-9 totals in six video games with the B.C. Junior Canucks shortly earlier than his tenth birthday.

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As MVP, Bedard gained an autographed Sidney Crosby stick, which was offered to him by St. Louis. When Bedard made his NHL debut with Chicago Tuesday night time in Pittsburgh, he took the opening faceoff in opposition to Crosby in a recreation the Blackhawks gained 4-2. Bedard picked up an help in that recreation and scored his first purpose the following night time in Boston in a 3-1 loss to the Bruins.

“He was a proficient child,” St. Louis recalled when requested in regards to the Brick Event. “Nice event. My son was a part of it. I really coached in opposition to Connor for a few years — 10, 11, 12, each summer season we’d face his Pacific staff or Western staff, I can’t bear in mind what it was referred to as. He was superb then and so I’m not shocked. However time flies. Now he’s within the NHL and I acquired extra greys.”

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When requested what makes Bedard particular, St. Louis stated: “What stands out is his shot, to me. I do know there’s extra to it, however that’s what stands out.”

That shot allowed Bedard to attain 71 targets in 57 video games final season with the WHL’s Regina Pats. Bedard grew to become the primary participant in WHL historical past granted distinctive standing to affix the league as a 15-year-old and through his three seasons with the Pats he had 134-137-271 totals in 134 video games. At this yr’s world junior championship, Bedard had 9-14-23 totals in seven video games whereas serving to Canada win the gold medal.

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Within the eight years since that Brick Event, Bedard has gone from getting an autographed Crosby follow now having his personal Sherwood mannequin after agreeing to an endorsement take care of the corporate.

Bedard is from North Vancouver and the Canadiens’ Brendan Gallagher can also be from B.C.

“I’ve heard about him for a very very long time,” Gallagher stated. “He had the distinctive standing, performed within the Western league and put up type of obscure numbers. World juniors did the identical factor. All over the place he’s gone he’s been what he’s been hyped as much as be. Early on in his NHL profession, he’s been precisely that as properly. You’re excited to observe him, clearly, simply not tomorrow night time. Tomorrow night time we acquired to deal with the job to do.”

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St. Louis isn’t anticipated to make any adjustments to his lineup following Wednesday night time’s season-opening 6-5 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs in Toronto apart from Samuel Montembeault beginning in purpose as an alternative of Jake Allen.

David Savard, who at 32 is 14 years older than Bedard, might be one of many defencemen attempting to close down the Blackhawks’ younger star.

“He’s a particular expertise,” Savard stated. “I feel it simply the best way he creates house to shoot. He’s not the largest man (5-foot-10, 185 kilos) however generally they’re the toughest to hit and attempt to neutralize. I feel it’s going to be a problem for us.”

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