Ice Hockey-Bedard skates into NHL spotlight as new season begins

TORONTO, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard skates into the spotlight when a new NHL season begins on Tuesday as Alexander Ovechkin looks to close in on one of hockey's treasured records and Canadians dream of an end to 30-year Stanley Cup drought.

The season launches on three fronts with the Vegas Golden Knights raising their first Stanley Cup championship banner before taking on the Seattle Kraken while the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Nashville Predators.

But the most anticipated contest of an opening night tripleheader will be the Blackhawks and Bedard in Pittsburgh to face the Penguins and the rookie's childhood idol Sidney Crosby.

Not since Crosby was taken number one overall in the 2005 draft has there been as much buzz around the arrival of a player described as a once in a generation talent.

The Blackhawks, who finished 30th among 32 teams last season, hit the jackpot when they won the draft lottery and used it to claim the dynamic 18-year-old forward, who is projected to become the franchise cornerstone.

To make sure Bedard is not crushed under the weight of expectations the Blackhawks acquired two ...
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