Photo credit: The Hockey News

Connor Bedard in German Sports Media has taken on a new name: “Wunderkind”, which we would refer to him as a prodigy.

However, linemate Philipp Kurashev knows him on a more intimate level as a friend. Kurashev was a part of Connor Bedard’s breakout season in 2023-2024 and the #1 overall draft pick in 2023.

Kurashev was recently interviewed by a Swiss newspaper, based in Zurich called “Tages-Anzieger”. One of the top papers in the country. Kurashev experienced a career year, with 18 goals and 54 points, while adjusting to Connor Bedard’s creativity on ice.
“You often think that he can’t see you at all and that you’re not open, but despite that a perfect pass is suddenly coming,” Kurashev said.

Kurashev grew up in Switzerland, was born in Russia, is familiar with Davos, a den of the ultra-rich- where his father Konstantin coached hockey. He is a Swiss national, and skated on the Swiss national team, earning a silver medal in the IIHF.

Kurashev’s IIHF totals this season were two assists and a shootout goal this season in 8 games, with the Swiss team.

Meanwhile, linemate Bedard had to settle for a fourth-place finish, scoring 8 points(5 G, 3 A) in 10 games, no medals. This is astounding considering Bedard led all NHL rookies in goals and points with 22 goals and 61 points this season. The international peer group had him locked down.
“He didn’t have a lot of time and space,” Canadian coach André Tourigny said after Finland shut down Bedard. “They were on top.”
Bedard would be demoted to a healthy scratch and Team Canada’s 13th forward, begrudgingly.

Bedard’s Hype Train

Bedard would be badgered both on and off the ice, literally as his notoriety would spread overseas. He would be the center of the attention of the IIHF and European outlets, who never talked to or seen him before.

He was asked about his “Wunderkind” moniker:
“If you had asked me that a couple of years ago, maybe it’s different,” Bedard said. “I’m grown up now. It’s not really the same as much anymore. I’m just playing hockey and just kind of living my life. I’m not too worried about any of it.”
Kurashev would feel sorry for Bedard, that he was the one teammate, during the NHL season would have to answer for the Blackhawks and would have people expect the most out of.
“Sometimes I felt sorry for him,” Kurashev told the Tages-Anzeiger. “He was our player who had to talk to the media the most often. When it had to do with our team, he was always referred to. He had constant appointments — interviews, photoshoots, and what else I don’t even know.

“Even at hotels or on the street, everyone constantly wanted something from him.”

Bedard of course, remained the center of attention on ice, when he touched the puck, the arena would focus on him. To which Kurashev would respectfully handle, passing the baton to Bedard.

Hats-off or “Chapeau” in French, you could call it.

Despite the star power, the Blackhawks would drop to 31st in the regular season with a 23-53-6 record, with the most losses in a season.
“Hockey is a team sport, and when you lose so often, you become tired mentally, then it becomes hard to stay focused positively,” Kurashev said.