Connect with us

Published

on

ARLINGTON, Va. — When the Chicago Blackhawks selected Connor Bedard with the first pick in the draft this summer, the player considered hockey’s next superstar slipped on his new team’s jersey over a dress shirt and tie.

Bedard got his latest welcome-to-the-NHL moment Tuesday, skating around on the ice in the Blackhawks’ home red jersey and his new team’s full gear for the first time at the Players’ Association’s rookie showcase. From the draft through development camp and signing his entry-level contract on his birthday, the event was Bedard’s latest step toward making his pro debut.

“Just to be with this organization and city and everything, it’s a dream come true,” Bedard said. “Growing up watching them and seeing kind of their [Stanley Cup] runs was pretty cool, so to put the jersey on is really special.”

Just like Bedard wouldn’t say anything publicly about going to Chicago until general manager Kyle Davidson called his name, the 18-year-old doesn’t want to get ahead of himself about his first game potentially coming against childhood idol Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 10.

Facing Crosby would be a magical start — but first comes training camp, which starts Sept. 22.

“Try to focus on having a good camp and everything,” Bedard said. “But if that’s what happens, then that’ll be awesome.”

Bedard for two days in the Washington area was the subject of plenty of attention from autograph seekers staking out an event run by the NHLPA and Upper Deck for rookie orientation and trading card photos. He has been seen as a future star since at least age 14, so he said simply: “I’ve had crazier.”

Fellow Blackhawks prospect Kevin Korchinski, who is expected to be a big part of their future but not the face of the franchise like Bedard, admires the relaxed, unbothered approach to all the hype.

“That’s the extra stuff that comes with being a player of his caliber,” Korchinski said. “The spotlight on him is really big, so for him to be able to block it out is pretty special and a testament to his character.”

Bedard cracked a smile telling reporters what they say doesn’t affect his day-to-day life, though of course he’s no stranger to the expectations the hockey community has for him.

“I’m worried about, obviously, my expectations of myself and teammates and everything and trying to be the best version of myself every day,” Bedard said. “I love the game of hockey. For me, that outside noise isn’t really pressure. It’s just kind of something that’s there.”

Oh, it’s there. FanDuel Sportsbook even has over/under betting lines for Bedard’s first-season totals for goals (31 1/2), points (67.5) and has set him as the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.

As for his own expectations for his rookie season, Bedard is still in wait-and-see mode.

“I kind of got to see how it is going to camp, going [through] preseason and everything,” he said. “I expect things out of myself, of course. I want to be a good player, I want to be making a difference and I want to help the team win. That’s kind of what I have right now.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Utes’ Whittingham reenergized after ’24 free fall

Published

on

By

Utes' Whittingham reenergized after '24 free fall

FRISCO, Texas — A dynamic new quarterback, a new offensive system and two projected first-round picks up front have Utah coach Kyle Whittingham feeling enthusiastic about the Utes’ chances of bouncing back from a disastrous debut season in the Big 12.

Utah was voted No. 1 in the Big 12 preseason poll last year after joining from the Pac-12, but a brutal run of injuries and inconsistency resulted in a seven-game conference losing streak and a 5-7 finish — the program’s first losing season since 2013.

After weeks of contemplation about his future and what was best for the program, Whittingham, the third-longest-tenured head coach in FBS, decided in December to return for his 21st season with the Utes.

“The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note,” Whittingham told ESPN at Big 12 media days Wednesday. “It was too frustrating, too disappointing. As much as college football has changed with all the other factors that might pull you away, that was the overriding reason: That’s not us, that’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.”

“The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note. It was too frustrating, too disappointing. … That’s not us. That’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.”

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham on going 5-7 in 2024

Whittingham and Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley conducted a national search for a new offensive coordinator and quickly zeroed in on New Mexico‘s Jason Beck. Then they managed to land Devon Dampier, Beck’s first-team All-Mountain West quarterback, via the transfer portal.

After finishing 11th nationally in total offense with 3,934 yards and 31 total touchdowns and putting up the fourth-most rushing yards (1,166) among all FBS starters, Dampier followed his coach to Salt Lake City and immediately asserted himself as a difference-maker for a program that had to start four different QBs in 2024.

“He’s a terrific athlete,” Whittingham said. “He’s a guy that, if spring is any indication, he’s an exciting player, and we can’t wait to watch him this season. … He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He’s a leader. Needless to say, very excited to see what he does for us.”

They’ve surrounded Dampier with 21 more newcomers via the transfer portal and will protect him with two returning starters at tackle in Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, who are projected first-round NFL draft picks by ESPN’s Matt Miller.

“We feel they’re the best tandem in the country,” Whittingham said. “The offensive line in general, I feel, it’s the best since I’ve been there. And that’s quite a statement. We’ve had some really good offensive lines. We’ve got two first-rounders and three seniors inside that have played a lot of good football for us. That better be a strength of ours, and that’s what we’re counting on.”

Whittingham has previously said he did not want to coach past the age of 65. Now that he’s 65, he acknowledges that he might’ve arrived at a different decision about his future had the Utes ended up winning the Big 12 in 2024. He is reenergized about getting them back into contention, but he’s not ready to say whether this season might be his last.

“The best answer I can give you is, right now, I’m excited and passionate about going to work every single day,” Whittingham said. “As soon as that changes, I’ll know it’s time. I’m just counting on knowing when the time is right. I can’t tell you exactly what the circumstances will be other than losing the fire in the belly.”

Continue Reading

Sports

MLB to utilize ABS challenge system during ASG

Published

on

By

MLB to utilize ABS challenge system during ASG

The automated ball-strike system is coming to the All-Star Game next week in Atlanta.

MLB officials added the feature to the annual exhibition game knowing it could be a precursor to becoming a permanent part of the major leagues as soon as next year.

The same process used this past spring training will be used for the Midsummer Classic: Each team will be given two challenges with the ability to retain them if successful. Only a pitcher, catcher or hitter can ask for a challenge and it has to happen almost immediately after the pitch. The player will tap his hat or helmet indicating to the umpire he wants to challenge while any help from the dugout or other players on the field is not allowed.

MLB officials say 72% of fans who were polled during spring training said the impact of ABS on their experience at the game was a “positive” one. Sixty-nine percent said they’d like it part of the game moving forward. Just 10% expressed negativity toward it.

MLB’s competition committee will meet later this summer to determine if ABS will be instituted next season after the league tested the robotic system throughout the minor leagues and spring training in recent years. Like almost any rule change, there were mixed reviews from players about using ABS but nearly all parties agree on one point: They prefer a challenge system as opposed to the technology calling every pitch.

As was the case in spring training, once a review is initiated, an animated replay of the pitch will be shown on the scoreboard and the home plate umpire will either uphold the call or overturn it. ABS uses Hawk-Eye system technology which tracks the pitch trajectory and location in relation to the strike zone, providing an instant assessment which can be relayed to the home plate umpire.

The All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Continue Reading

Sports

Royals sign former Cy Young winner Keuchel

Published

on

By

Royals sign former Cy Young winner Keuchel

The Kansas City Royals have signed former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract, the team announced Wednesday.

The 37-year-old left-hander will start at Triple-A Omaha and will earn a prorated $2 million salary if he reaches the big leagues, sources tell ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Keuchel has not pitched in the majors for nearly a full calendar year. He elected to become a free agent on July 18, 2024, after being designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers.

In four starts with the Brewers last season, Keuchel had a 5.40 ERA in 16 2/3 innings without a decision. In 13 major league seasons, the 2015 American League Cy Young winner with the Houston Astros is 103-92 with a 4.04 ERA in 282 appearances (267 starts).

After pitching his first seven seasons with the Astros, Keuchel has made appearances for six different teams since 2019. He won a World Series with Houston in 2017 and is a two-time All-Star selection and five-time Gold Glove winner.

Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.

Continue Reading

Trending