Family support changed the life of young hockey sensation Connor Bedard, who saw his sister Madisen compete with passion in gymnastics.
From an early age, Connor Bedard—who is regarded as a rising star in the hockey world—had a deep passion for the game. Bedard was driven to make a name for himself and had aspirations of playing professional hockey. What impressed him, though, was his sister’s commitment to and passion for gymnastics.
Connor’s mother Melanie stated:
“Connor would say that to Madi about gymnastics. ‘You train for 30 hours, then you have six minutes and if you stumble on the beam, that’s it. I have my teammates to bail me out. I make so many mistakes every game, but I have my teammates to bail me out. You don’t.’ I think watching her helped.”
In contrast to the glamour and flash of professional hockey, Madisen’s journey in gymnastics was a more private pursuit, her achievements a testament to her commitment. Connor’s parents, Melanie and Tom Bedard had the difficult job of fostering their children’s interests while making sure Madisen felt equally important in her pursuits without putting too much pressure on her from outside sources.
Melanie stated:
“You can’t compare the two sports.”The Bedards believe that their children’s accomplishments are fueled by the support of their families. Motivated by his sister, Connor sets out on his NHL career with a sense of purpose and gratitude. Illinois Blackhawks Offer Connor Bedard, a top prospect, a three-year entry-level contract. After selecting Connor Bedard first overall in the draft, the Chicago Blackhawks and the top prospect reached an agreement on a three-year entry-level contract earlier in July. For players under 25 as of September 15 of the year of their first contract, entry-level contracts are required. These are two-way contracts that allow minor league assignments without waivers. The maximum annual salary for 2023 rookies, which includes Bedard, is $950,000. Bonuses for signing and performance are included in ELCs; signing bonuses are limited to 10% of the total contract value. The team pays performance bonuses, which have a maximum value of $3.5 million and are deducted from the salary cap. With a three-year deal signed, 18-year-old Bedard will have an opportunity to grow and contribute to the Blackhawks. Young players can demonstrate their abilities and bargain for future contracts based on their performance and value to the team during Emerging Leaders’ Clinics (ELCs).