WHL Stars & NHL Debuts: Bedard & Korchinski soar with Blackhawks
Two Western Hockey League stars made their long-awaited NHL debuts Tuesday evening as the 2023-24 NHL regular season got underway.
Connor Bedard, Regina Pats (2020-23)
Connor Bedard, former captain of the Regina Pats, hit NHL ice for the first time as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, registering one assist in a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bedard, an 18-year-old product of North Vancouver, was selected by the Blackhawks with the first-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft this past June following an illustrious WHL career.
The first exceptional-status player in WHL history, Bedard was selected by the Pats with the first-overall pick in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. From there, he went on to wow fans across the WHL, scoring 271 points (134G-137A) in 134 career regular season outings, adding another 20 points (10G-10A) in only seven WHL Playoff games.
Bedard laid claim to numerous WHL Awards over his time with the Pats, including the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL Player of the Year, 2022-23), the Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL Top Scorer, 2022-23), and the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL Rookie of the Year, 2020-21).
Congratulations to @WHLPats forward Connor Bedard, on suiting up for his first NHL game. pic.twitter.com/kflE0kMn5D
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 11, 2023
Kevin Korchinski, Seattle Thunderbirds (2020-23)
Defenceman Kevin Korchinski also made his NHL debut as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, registering 19:19 time on ice, one shot on goal and an even rating in a 4-2 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 19-year-old product of Saskatoon was selected by the Blackhawks with the seventh-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound rearguard was a key cog in the Thunderbirds run to the 2023 WHL Championship. He was named to the WHL’s U.S. Division First All-Star Team after recording 73 points (11G-62A) in 54 games during the 2022-23 campaign.
Over 145 career WHL Regular Season games, Korchinski has collected 148 points (15G-133A), adding another 33 points (9G-24A) in 44 career WHL Playoff games.
Congratulations to @SeattleTbirds defenceman Kevin Korchinski, on suiting up for his first NHL game. pic.twitter.com/IYMjhHwhVH
— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 11, 2023