Ice Hockey-Bedard skates into NHL spotlight as new season begins

Oct 5, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) brings the puck up the ice against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

TORONTO (Reuters) - Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard skates into the spotlight when a new NHL season begins on Tuesday as Alexander Ovechkin looks to close in on one of hockey's treasured records and Canadians dream of an end to 30-year Stanley Cup drought.

The season launches on three fronts with the Vegas Golden Knights raising their first Stanley Cup championship banner before taking on the Seattle Kraken while the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Nashville Predators.