Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard won the NHL’s Rookie of the Month award for November but he can’t even enjoy it because of a nasty rumor that surfaced on social media.
Corey Perry has been on thin ice in the past week as the Chicago Blackhawks terminated his contract after he reportedly violated team policies with “conduct that is unacceptable.”
Before the team cut him loose, rumors began swirling that he had an inappropriate relationship with the mother of his teammate Connor Bedard.
Bedard had been silent about the rumors until Friday as the Blackhawks superstar didn’t mince words when a reporter asked him about the gossip.
“It’s just a bunch of BS on the internet,” Bedard said, before admitting, “It’s of course been an effect on myself and my family.”
“And that’s not fair,” he continued, according to Blackhawks beat reporter Ben Pope. “But it’s out of our control. It’s all just fake, made-up stuff.”
According to hockey reporter Jacob Stoller, Bedard “became annoyed as the questions” about the Perry rumors continued during his Friday meeting with the media.
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“I don’t need to answer any more questions about this stuff,” Bedard said.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson first shut down the accusations of a one-night stand. “This does not involve any players or their families and anything that suggests otherwise or anyone that suggests otherwise is wildly inaccurate and, frankly, it’s disgusting,” he said.
Once his contract was terminated, Perry apologized to his teammates and the entire Blackhawks organization and explained that he was looking to make some changes in his life.
“As a result of my actions, there has been speculation and rumors. I am sickened by the impact this has had on others, and I want to make it clear that in no way did this situation involve any of my teammates or their families,” he stated plainly. “Most importantly, I want to directly apologize to those who have been negatively affected and I am sorry for the additional impact to others it has created. My behavior was inappropriate and wrong.”
Bedard led all rookies with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 12 games last month.
He is the first Blackhawks player to be named an NHL Rookie of the Month since Dominik Kubalik in January 2020.
