
Morgan Geekie was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2017 (67th overall). The player Conor Geekie most admired growing up? "Probably my brother." If Bourgault had 10 chances to beat Bergeron in the faceoff circle, how many could he win? So I've tried to take a bit of his game on the defensive side." He said Bergeron's balance of offense and defense encouraged him to hone his defensive game a bit more. "I was watching him a lot when I was growing up. "A great leader and a great guy," Bourgault said of the former Boston Bruins captain. Like so many Quebecois forwards born in the past 20 years, Bourgault is a Patrice Bergeron fan. "For them I would maybe change my answer a little and say John Tavares," he said with a laugh. But that wasn't the case when he was talking hockey with out-of-towners. He would tell his friends that his favorite player was Leddy. "I wouldn't say I was trying to model my game after him, I just liked watching him," Coronato said. Leddy is entering his 14th NHL season and third with the St. So he was definitely a guy I looked up to."

I'd watch him skate the puck up and he would fly. So my favorite player growing up was Nick Leddy," Coronato said. "When I was growing up, like when I was really little, I played defense. One of the Flames' top young offensive wingers grew up admiring a defenseman: former New York Islanders blueliner Nick Leddy. " would be so much fun, especially because he was my favorite player." "That's the real one where I may be a little starstruck," Cooley said, with a laugh. He grew up rooting for the Washington Capitals. Because even though he attended his camp and respects Crosby, Logan Cooley wasn't a Pittsburgh Penguins fan. Truth be told, his friends gave him a lot of grief. Being able to play against him is going to be pretty special."īut Cooley wasn't a typical Pittsburgh kid. "Crosby's such a role model, on and off the ice. I think they got a box seat actually," Cooley said. "I have a ton of family getting tickets for that game. Which is one reason he's looking forward to his first game against the Penguins. The Coyotes rookie is a Pittsburgh native who got his start in hockey with Sidney Crosby's youth camps. In the case of Crosby, "It's just his hockey IQ and how he controls the puck. "Crosby being my favorite player, that would be pretty special."īedard said he has tried to take what he could from a lot of players he admired growing up. It's the dream of everyone that's played as a kid," he said. 10, as the Blackhawks and the Penguins are scheduled to play on ESPN. "I say all the time that I'm trying to focus on having a good camp and everything," he said, "but if that's what happens, that'd be awesome."īedard was talking about getting the chance to line up against his idol Sidney Crosby, which could happen on NHL opening night on Oct. Talk to Connor Bedard about anything he's looking forward to accomplishing in the NHL and he'll immediately bring it back to the fact that he still has to earn his spot on the Blackhawks' roster - no matter how many season tickets they've already sold in anticipation of his arrival.
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How to watch the 2023-24 NHL season on ESPN networks - including 100 exclusive games and the out-of-market package (over 1,050 games). against whom he's expected to battle in his first NHL game this season. 1 overall pick Bedard and his hockey idol.

We asked 18 young stars at the 2023 NHLPA Rookie Showcase which NHL players inspired them as young players, from borrowing aspects of their games to inspiring them to first pick up a stick.įirst up is No. At least one currently shares a locker room with his favorite player from his childhood fandom - but hasn't revealed that fact to him yet. Some admit to feeling "weirdness" about it. NHL rookie idols: Who inspired the new wave of stars?Ĭonnor Bedard was born on July 17, 2005, just under two weeks before Sidney Crosby was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.Īs you take a deep breath and consider the endless march of time, please note that Bedard and his generation of talented young prospects basically all grew up admiring players who are still thriving in the NHL today.

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