Connor Bedard started development camp with the Chicago Blackhawks

CHICAGO — Connor Bedard has heard from a lot of people since he was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft.

There was one person in particular who stood out.

“I got a text from Sidney Crosby, so that was pretty cool,” Bedard said. “My favorite player is developing and obviously one of the best, so I was very excited there.”

If all goes according to plan for Bedard and the Blackhawks, the rookie will make his NHL debut against Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 10. Bedard’s opening road starts with the team’s development camp, which begins this weekend.

The top-scoring striker made it clear on Friday that he is not looking too far ahead.

“This is a big summer for myself to try to make the team and play in the league,” Bedard said. “Of course, it’s very fast, everyone is big, strong.”

Bedard, who turns 18 on July 17, is the crown jewel of an 11-man draft class for Chicago that includes Oliver Moore, another first-rounder known for his speed. Moore is going to play college hockey for Minnesota.

Bedard is the second No. 1 in franchise history, joining Patrick Kane in 2007. Kane helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

“Obviously, you know the history of this organization and the prospect of winning,” Bedard said, sitting next to Moore at a table with four more of the team’s draft picks. “We’re going to do everything we can to improve ourselves and win games and ultimately win the Stanley Cup. That’s the main goal.”

Widely considered a generational talent, compared to idols Crosby and Edmonton star Connor McDavid, the 5-foot-10 Bedard had 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games in the WHL last season. When Canada won the World Junior Hockey Championship in January, he was the MVP of the tournament.

While Bedard continues to prepare for his first NHL season, the Blackhawks are adding some veterans to help with the transition.

Chicago has agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with Corey Perry, who had 12 goals and 13 assists in 81 games for Tampa Bay last season.

The Blackhawks traded a seventh-round pick to the Lightning for the 38-year-old Perry on Thursday. He was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on Saturday.

Chicago, which finished with a 26-49-7 record last season, acquired forwards Taylor Hall and Nick Follingo in a trade with Boston on Monday. On Tuesday, the 35-year-old Follingo announced a one-year, $4 million contract.

Perry is joining his fifth NHL team. He had 417 goals and 466 assists in 1,257 regular season games.

Perry also leads players in postseason appearances with 196. Won the 2007 Stanley Cup with Anaheim.