Connor Bedard says he’s not throwing away any of his Canucks gear despite being a Blackhawk

Connor Bedard will be scoring goals exclusively for the Chicago Blackhawks for the foreseeable future.

But the Blackhawks’ logo won’t be the only NHL team logo found in Bedard’s closet.

Bedard, a North Vancouver native and lifelong Canucks fan, joined Blake Price and Matt Sekeres on Wednesday’s edition of Sekeres and Price, making it clear that he is not denouncing his Canucks fandom just because Chicago drafted him.

“Of course you have things from growing up, jerseys and what not,” said Bedard when asked if he’s purged his closet of his Canucks gear yet. “I obviously got the [Blackhawks] draft jersey and everything that you kind of put over it now. It’s pretty funny kind of how it worked out with the rivalry they had when I was a young kid.

“It’s awesome, I’m happy to be on this side of it of course and now it feels different but no, I’ve always loved the Canucks and I wouldn’t throw away that stuff from growing up, those are great memories for sure.”

Canucks fans are certainly hoping that Bedard never throws that gear away and that one day he finds himself wearing it again. But that day, should it ever come, is years down the line.

Bedard has had a busy summer and is currently back home taking part in the North Shore Inline Adult Hockey League, where his squad “Great Guys” featuring fellow first round picks Andrew Cristall and Kent Johnson will look to take home the championship next week. Bedard, who just turned 18 three days ago, is tied with Cristall for the team lead in points with 13 in three games. Port Moody’s Kent Johnson sits in second place with 12 points.

After that, Bedard will continue to gear up for his first NHL training camp as fans everywhere get set to watch his highly-anticipated first NHL season. The right shot centre broke multiple CHL records this past season and, perhaps most notably, won the IIHF Male Player of the Year Award, finishing one spot ahead of Canucks goaltending prospect Arturs Silovs.