Connor Bedard takes a playful dig at his mom Melanie's skating ability showcased during Winter Classic family skate

Connor Bedard will be the focus when the Chicago Blackhawks play the St. Louis Blues in the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. This will be Bedard's first outdoor game since being drafted first overall by the Blackhawks in 2023. He practiced at Wrigley Field with his family, calling it one of the coolest experiences of his life.

“It’s one of the coolest experiences of my life so far, and obviously the game hasn’t even started yet,” Bedard said (via NHL.com).

The Winter Classic also gives Bedard a chance to enjoy a fun moment with his family. He jokingly gave an honest review of his mom Melanie's skating.

"Yeah, my mom was struggling a little bit out there. She’s got an ugly stride, he said, laughing. "But they had a good time and you know it’s fun that our families get to be part of this. It’s a pretty big stage, being in front of your country."

Bedard has been the most talked-about player in a matchup between two teams with coaching changes. The Blackhawks have struggled this season, but Bedard has played well. After a 12-game scoring drought, he has seven goals and 10 assists in his last 16 games.

“For me, it’s about how much I’m creating and how many plays I’m making, and I feel like I’ve been doing that pretty well,” Bedard said. “Obviously, you want the points to come. They don’t always come... I just need to keep making plays and trying to play my game.”

The game will bring an exciting atmosphere to Wrigley Field.

The Winter Classic gives Connor Bedard a chance to play on a big stage in front of many fans

Connor Bedard shared his thoughts on the attention the Winter Classic brings. For him, the excitement comes from playing outside and at a place like Wrigley Field.

“For me, it’s just about the cool part of playing outside, playing at Wrigley here and getting that different experience. That’s what excites me. It’s not really about more people tuning in, but it’s obviously great for us. To have more people in the crowd, it’s going to an exciting atmosphere...,” Bedard said.

In 2024, Connor Bedard scored 60 points (17 goals, 43 assists), leading the Blackhawks. He has 32 points this season, with 10 goals and 22 assists in 37 games. Bedard is on a four-game point streak, with six points during that time. He joined Bobby Hull and Eddie Olczyk as the only Blackhawks teenagers to reach 60 points in a season.