One in 2330 ~ Connor Bedard Love Story

40. Injuries and Fights

January 5th, 2024. 8:30 AM.

We had just landed in New Jersey after losing to the New York Rangers, 4-1 just a few hours prior. Thankfully I had managed to sleep on the plane, so I was decently awake, unlike a few guys on the team.

I had plans to meet up with Jack and Luke for lunch before the game, as this would be the last time we play each other for the season. Also, I've known the guys for as long as I could remember, so why wouldn't I hang out with them.

As we walked off the plane, my phone went off and I checked it to see it was a message from the NHL. I opened it and it was an email about the All-Star games.

Dear Miss Tkachuk,

The NHL is proud to tell you that you, along with your teammate, Connor Bedard, will be representing the Chicago Blackhawks this year at the 2024 NHL All-Star games.

The games will be slightly different this year, as there will be four teams. Team Hughes, which will be co-captained by Quinn and Jack Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils. Team Matthews, which will be captained by Austin Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Team McDavid, captained by Connor McDavid and Altenrate Captain, Leon Draisaitl. And last but not least, Team McKinnon, captained by Nathan McKinnon and Alternate Captain, Cale Makar.

The All-Star games will be held at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs from Thursday, February 1st to February 3rd.

There will be a 'draft' on the 1st to determine the teams for the games. On the Friday, there will be the All-Star skills completions, in which both you and Bedard are invited to play in. The following day will be the day of the actual game.

The All-Star game will be a three-on-three plus a goalie. Two teams will face off against each other in a game of twenty minutes with an intermission at the team minute mark. The winners of their game will play each other and whichever team wins will win the cash prize.

There will be a one million dollar USD cash prize for the winner of the All-Star Skills event and a one million dollar USD cash prize for the team that wins the All-Star game.

If you're able, we would love it if you were able to fly down to Toronto after your game against Calgary before the All-Star break, as we would like to film an advertisement with you, your brother and Quinn and Jack Hughes for Hyundai.

Congratulations again, Miss Tkachuk, and we look forward seeing both you and Mr. Bedard at the All-Star games.

"What'cha reading, Soph?" Kev asked me, peering over my shoulder to try to read the email.

"Connor, check your phone." was all I said. I was in shock. I never expected this. From going from a girl living in St. Louis, dreaming of playing in the NHL, to playing in the World Juniors with Luke and now going to the NHL All-Star games, this truly was a dream come true.

"Soph, are you alright?" Vlassy question, worried. I guess tears must have welled up in my eyes due to me being so emotional about this.

I saw Connor check his phone, and I guess he pretty much got the same email as I did, because I saw his eyes light up, shock written all over his face.

"Soph..." he murmured, making his way over to me.

"Guys, what the fuck is going on?" Fliggy asked, concerned and confused.

Neither of us hear him as Connor came over and gave me a big hug.

"Congratulations, babe," he whispered into my ear. "You one hundred percent deserve this."