Connor Bedard’s fiery side emerged during the Chicago Blackhawks’ clash with the Detroit Red Wings last month, as CHSN revealed on Tuesday via a clip shared on X.
The generational talent and Blackhawks leader made headlines for his reaction and exchange with franchise legend and current Red Wings forward Patrick Kane following a controversial penalty.
In the first period of the game played at the United Center on Nov. 6, Bedard was assessed a minor penalty for tripping Kane.
Frustrated with the call, the 18-year-old was caught on a mic saying, “Tell him to stand on his (expletive) feet. Soft as (expletive).”
Hockey players, they’re just like us.
Hockey players, they’re just like us.
(🎥: @NHLBlackhawks) pic.twitter.com/NfflRZk7he
— Blackhawks on CHSN (@CHSN_Blackhawks) December 3, 2024
The moment wasn’t so much an attack on Kane personally but a venting of frustration toward the referees in a game Chicago never led and ended up losing 4-1.
Bedard appeared to believe Kane went down too easily on the play, and it’s not that Kane had not praised the youngster’s game before they met on the ice.
“He’s obviously a special player,” Kane said about Bedard on Nov. 5, via CHSN. “He does a lot of things that not many guys can do in the league, as far as the way he stick-handles around defenders, or get a shot off, or even, I think, coming into the league maybe his playmaking was a little bit underrated too.
“He’s had a great start to his career, and I’m sure he’ll continue to get better and better.”
Bedard has scored 19 points in 25 games this season including five goals and 14 assists.
Kane, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner with the Blackhawks, has appeared in 20 games scoring three goals and assisting seven.
The Blackhawks are struggling this season, sitting at the bottom of the Central Division with an 8-15-2 record. The Hawks will face the Wings for a second time on Jan. 10 in Detroit.
