Connor Bedard hasn’t even played in his first NHL game, but he’s already breaking rules.
The highly-touted Blackhawks rookie took the ice prior to his debut without his helmet, letting the flow fly.
Like Mike Leggo once said, though, you can’t do that.
The NHL enacted a rule last season that requires all players who joined the league in the past four years to wear helmets in warm-ups.
From Rule 9.6:
It is mandatory for all players who entered the NHL beginning with the 2019-2020 season or later to wear their helmet during pre-game warm-up.
To be clear, all players who entered the League prior to the 2019-2020 season and who are currently playing are exempt from this mandate.
Bedard safely completed he rookie lap, later donning the helmet.
Of course, he also headed out to warm-ups without his stick, so maybe he’s still figuring out this whole hockey thing. Good luck out there, kid!
Bedard. No bucket. It’s time 🔥
pic.twitter.com/CWgj9dUAWz— The Cam & Strick Podcast (@CamandStrick) October 10, 2023