Chicago Blackhawks legend Chris Chelios defends Connor Bedard from Jeremy Roenick
Jeremy Roenick recently called Connor Bedard out after the NHL Winter Classic and former Blackhawks captain Chris Chelios has come to the teenager's defense.
Heading into 2025, the Chicago Blackhawks faced off against the St. Louis Blues in the annual NHL Winter Classic and unfortunately fell in a 6-2 loss.
Following the game, Blackhawks legend Jeremy Roenick called out Connor Bedard for being the sole player who did not meet with him and the other Blackhawks legends in attendance.
"All the players came up to me, [Chelios], and [Savard], except one.
That was Connor Bedard.
If we don't have that respect to go up and fist bump, to say congratulations, how can you do it with your own teammates?
I'm not ripping on him in terms of his personality or anything like that.
If he's going to be the captain of this team, there is a lot of things that he has to think about in terms of being that leader, being that captain, and unfortunately he dropped the ball." - Jeremy Roenick
That was Connor Bedard.
If we don't have that respect to go up and fist bump, to say congratulations, how can you do it with your own teammates?
I'm not ripping on him in terms of his personality or anything like that.
If he's going to be the captain of this team, there is a lot of things that he has to think about in terms of being that leader, being that captain, and unfortunately he dropped the ball." - Jeremy Roenick
Following Roenick going public with this story, Chris Chelios, one of the players Bedard did not greet, spoke out and defended the teenager's actions.
"Jeremy's heart is in the right place, there's no question about that. He's so excited to be back with the Blackhawks and involved in the Hawks' Hall of Fame induction. I think, he might be stuck in the '90s, somewhat like I am, and it's just a generational thing. It's nothing to do with Connor or any of the other younger players."
"When I was raised, we were taught to shake people's hands and look you in the eyes that's not the way it is (now)." - Chris Chelios
"When I was raised, we were taught to shake people's hands and look you in the eyes that's not the way it is (now)." - Chris Chelios
With Chelios defending Bedard, it looks like more Blackhawks personnel will be siding with him over Roenick.
Hopefully one day stories like this will be things far in the past as Bedard goes on a journey towards being a bonafide NHL superstar.
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