Connor Bedard began his NHL career Tuesday night standing face-to-face at center ice with Sidney Crosby.
The referee greeted Crosby with a "welcome back" and then greeted Bedard with a "welcome to the NHL" before dropping the puck
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Bedard, who the Blackhawks took with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, grew up idolizing Crosby, who was chosen first overall in 2005 by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Crosby got the best of the 18-year-old rookie at center ice this time around, handing Bedard his very first NHL face-off loss.
Welcome to the league, kid.