Blackhawks' Rookie Connor Bedard Forgot His Stick Before Warmups Ahead of NHL Debut

Chicago's Connor Bedard was a bit nervous prior to making his NHL debut against his childhood idol Sidney Crosby and the Penguins on Tuesday night at the United Center.

The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard appeared to be sort of star-struck heading onto the ice. Cameras captured him forgetting his stick as he initially made his way out of the tunnel. 

The hockey phenom was shown frantically returning to the locker room to retrieve his stick.

Playing for Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League this past season, Bedard recorded 71 goals and 72 assists. The standout notched 271 points in just 134 career games in the WHL.

Fans joked about the nerves of the 18-year-old, while also pondering whether Bedard even needed his stick to score.

Bedard is being looked upon to turn around the fortunes of a Chicago club that finished last season tied for the second-worst record in the NHL (26-49-7; 59 points).