Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard didn’t make it on the Canadian team for the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

The Chicago Blackhawks’ first practice since the NHL took a break for the 4 Nations Face-Off looked more like a series of training camp drills than a typical midseason session. They worked on passing and two-man rushes before breaking down into spirited group scrimmages.

But more than anything, it stoked the dreams of just about every hockey player who wasn’t invited to the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Olympics are coming in less than a year. And Vlasic wants in. “You see the pride that people have for putting on their nation’s jersey,

The Chicago Blackhawks Blackhawks weren't able to send Connor Bedard to the 4-Nations Face-Off but he would have made Team Canada better.