We sometimes forget that Chicago Blackhawks rookie phenom Connor Bedard is only 18. That is why it is great he has a dad (in the figurative sense) in Nick Foligno to mentor him through his first NHL season.
To think, everyone thought it would be Taylor Hall who would mentor Bedard. That idea went out the window once the former Hart Trophy winner was lost for the season with an ACL injury.
Instead, it has been the veteran Foligno who has been skating on the top line with Bedard. Along with Philpp Kurashev that line has been producing some serious offense lately.
Bedard has eight points over the past two games. Two games in which the Hawks scored a combined 14 goals and won. Foligno has four assists in that same span while Kurashev has two goals and three assists.
4 points for Nick Foligno tonight
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) March 13, 2024
4 points for Connor Bedard tonight
3 points for Philipp Kurashev tonight
Top line COOKING#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/TNRlJ8kUZa
Bedard's recent hot streak has all but wrapped up the Calder Trophy race in his favor. Foligno deserves some credit for helping Bedard get there.
You can see in their moments on and off the ice that Foligno has embraced being the wise sage for the young phenom.
Nick Foligno to a mic’d up Connor Bedard: “There’s so much to teach you and I don’t have enough contract time. I’m gonna have to stay in Chicago like five more years after I retire.” 😂 #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/ykDcLKQyiS
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) March 13, 2024
It was Foligno who defended Bedard's honor when New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith broke Connor's jaw on a hard hit in early January.
Nick Foligno feeding fists 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/NbUYi4hjiK
— Mario Tirabassi (@Mario_Tirabassi) January 6, 2024
Foligno fractured his finger in that fight. The guy is willing to break his hand to protect his protegee. The most important thing is Foligno has embraced being the dad of the top line.
“They have a cool bond. I like the way they talk to each other. … They shy away as soon as I skate by.”
— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) March 13, 2024
—Nick Foligno on being the “dad” on the line with Connor Bedard and Philipp Kurashev pic.twitter.com/e0TOXuiXZ9
Some veterans might shy away from being a mentor. Foligno has embraced it. His leadership is a big reason the Hawks wanted to keep Foligno around for another two seasons.
It is neat that the Blackhawks have allowed us to see the behind-the-scenes relationship the figurative father and son have developed.
only '90s kids remember NHL '94....or don't remember...😂 pic.twitter.com/a39fkJWBr7
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) February 24, 2024
The overall talent around Bedard might not be great right now. The organization at least got the right mentor in Foligno and the correct linemate in Kurashev to help Bedard go from a phenom and become a legend.