Hockey Canada is actively scouting players for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, and while Chicago Blackhawks standout Connor Bedard hopes to join the team, his primary focus remains on helping the struggling 2-4-1 Hawks.
“I definitely hope so,” Bedard said to TSN’s Jay Onrait about potentially representing Team Canada. “Right now, I’m not concentrating on that; my priority is with Chicago and contributing to our victories.”
The young star added, “If I perform well enough to earn a spot, that would be fantastic. There are so many talented players in Canada who could make that team. … I’m confident in my abilities, but we’ll see what happens in the future.”
Bedard will likely be considered for Team Canada as the tournament begins in Montreal next February, but there is a strong pool of skilled centers available. Stars like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Brayden Point were already named to the roster in June, meaning competition for center positions will be tough.
The full team roster will be revealed by Hockey Canada between November 29 and December 2. Canada will compete against the United States, Finland, and Sweden in the tournament that will start in Montreal and conclude in Boston.
Despite his youth and lack of experience, Bedard’s name will be in the mix for the team, although it’s unlikely he would play a leading role if selected. He has had a decent start to the 2024-25 season, tallying seven points in seven games but only scoring once during that time. Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 25 shots on goal across these seven games, yet he’s only converted at a 4 percent shooting rate, a figure expected to improve as the season progresses. This season, the 19-year-old has been prioritizing his defensive skills.
“I think I might have focused too much on offense last year,” Bedard explained on Wednesday, according to The Score’s Kayla Douglas. “Finding the right balance is essential. I always want to have the puck and be in the offensive zone, but half the game is played in our own end. Being responsible there allows us to regain possession and transition to their zone, which is when the game becomes enjoyable.”
After a tough rookie season at 5-on-5, Bedard has achieved a plus-1 rating in that area this year, demonstrating noticeable improvement in his second season. Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson discussed Bedard’s current scoring difficulties on Wednesday.
“He stays composed,” the coach stated. “He may feel brief frustration but moves on. He shows a lot of maturity in that aspect. I’d like for him to shoot more and faster, but he’s aware of that. There are times when opportunities don’t arise, and we don’t want him to force things. Once he starts scoring, I believe the goals will come in bunches.”
The reigning Calder Trophy winner will look to end his scoring drought when the Blackhawks host the struggling Nashville Predators at the United Center on Friday night.
