“Feels like home now,” Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard thanks fans for their support after scoring crucial OT winner against Jets

Connor Bedard played another important role in his team's overtime victory as he scored the late winner against the Winnipeg Jets.

“Feels like home now,” Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard thanks fans for their support after scoring crucial OT winner against Jets

Connor Bedard (Image via Imago)

The rise of Connor Bedard in the NHL this season has been unprecedented. The No. 1 draft pick this year, the young sensation has quickly adjusted to the setting of the Chicago Blackhawks and has truly become a part of them now. He recently scored a crucial overtime winner against the Winnipeg Jets which left the crowd standing up and applauding him.

The 18-year-old rookie had a difficult start to the season. He though has shaken it off and showed everyone why he has been one of the most hyped players in the league since Connor McDavid. Following the classy gesture from the crowd, Bedard would thank them for their support.

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As he celebrated the OT winner with his teammates, one fan was spotted crying after being left emotional about the late winner. The former Regina Pats captain was left amused by her reaction but acknowledged the love and passion the fans had for the team.

When asked about how he felt seeing fans wearing his jersey around the stadium and welcoming him, Bedard said:

Yeah I mean, you hear them all. Oh, I'll wait. Yeah I mean, every night they come support us and it feels like home now. So I'm super grateful to be here and to be a Blackhawk.
Connor Bedard on the spport of the Blackhawks fan through Blackhawks Talk.

The answer from Bedard was met with a huge roar of approval from the fans at the United Center. He would receive a standing ovation from the audience as they showered their immense support to the match-winner.

Has Connor Bedard already secured the Calder Trophy?

When the Chicago Blackhawks won the draft lottery, there was no surprise who they would go and pick. Connor Bedard had made a huge name in the minor league while captaining the Regina Pats. The Blackhawks wasted no time and scooped him at the draft. In his first year in the big leagues, Bedard has lived up to the hype but has he already secured the Calder Trophy?

The Calder Trophy serves as the NHL Rookie of the Year Award. As the name suggests, it is given to the best player rookie player of the season. While several other rookies in the form of Logan Cooley and Luke Hughes have left quite an impression, Bedard has just been on another level.

Connor Bedard
Connor Bedard (Image via San Diego Union-Tribune)

A recent report from NHL.com claimed that the 18-year-old rising star was the unanimous leader in the race for the Calder Trophy. Voting by 16-panel members saw Bedard receive 80 points, 29 more than second-place Cooley of the Arizona Coyotes.

In the 34 games he has placed this season, Bedard has picked up 15 goals and 17 assists (32 points). This is the most by any rookie in the league, signaling the huge gap between him and the other youngsters. Apart from this, he even has a few tricks up his sleeves as he recently scored an extraordinary ‘Michigan’ goal.

The only problem for Bedard this year has been the lack of support from his teammates. Despite his heroics, the Blackhawks are currently bottom of their division with a poor record of 11-22-1. Their defense has been a huge problem for them with their goal difference of minus 42 being the second worst in the entire NHL behind the San Jose Sharks. This is an area where he would be hoping to see an improvement as the season rolls on.

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