Chicago Blackhawks interim head coach Anders Sorensen recently addressed the controversy surrounding star player Connor Bedard’s consecutive game misconduct penalties, drawing parallels to NHL legends Sidney Crosby and Peter Forsberg. Bedard, 19, has faced challenges adjusting to the pressures of his sophomore season, leading to heightened emotions on the ice.
In a recent game against the San Jose Sharks, Bedard received a 10-minute misconduct penalty for “abuse of officials,” leaving both fans and the player puzzled about its justification. Sorensen defended Bedard, stating, “Overall, I think he’s very mature for being 19, especially with the amount of spotlight that’s on him constantly. I’m really impressed with how he handles it.” He further likened Bedard’s situation to that of Crosby and Forsberg, noting that “they want to win. They want to be successful.”
However, some fans felt Sorensen’s defense was insufficient, expressing dissatisfaction with his lack of immediate support during the game. One fan commented, “What kind of coach sits on his hands with his mouth shut when the star player gets a misconduct in the final 11 minutes for no clear reason?”
This incident adds to a series of challenges for Bedard, including exclusion from Canada’s roster for the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Despite being the first overall draft pick in 2023, his sophomore performance has been marked by a goal drought and defensive struggles. Team Canada general manager Don Sweeney cited Bedard’s lack of readiness to compete with more experienced players as the reason for his exclusion, though he didn’t rule out future opportunities.
Sorensen’s comments come amid a broader discussion about Bedard’s development and the Blackhawks’ performance. In December 2024, the team parted ways with head coach Luke Richardson due to unsatisfactory results, appointing Sorensen as interim coach. Since then, Sorensen has expressed confidence in Bedard’s abilities, highlighting moments where Bedard and teammate Frank Nazar have showcased strong on-ice chemistry. Sorensen noted, “They’ve been playing off each other really well.”
Despite these challenges, Bedard has moments of brilliance. In a recent game against the Utah Hockey Club, he scored the overtime winner, ending a seven-game point drought and contributing to the Blackhawks’ four-game points streak.
As the season progresses, both Bedard and the Blackhawks face the task of overcoming adversity. With Sorensen’s support and a focus on player development, there’s optimism that Bedard will navigate these challenges, drawing inspiration from the resilience of players like Crosby an
d Forsberg.
