Idols-turned-rivals: Bedard to debut against idol Crosby - ESPN

The second game of the NHL's season-opening slate will bear a familiar storyline of an idol turning into a rival.

Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick in this year's NHL draft, makes his start for the Chicago Blackhawks against his favorite player, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby.

The 18-year-old forward was born less than two weeks before Crosby was selected first overall by Pittsburgh in the 2005 NHL draft. The two met at the NHL player media tour in September.

«Of course, my childhood idol in the hockey world and [Crosby] is such a good, genuine guy,» Bedard told NHL.com. «For me to kind of spend some time with him and learn about him.… Just his playmaking and the way he controls the game in the offensive zone is pretty incredible. Just his complete game. He's such a 200-foot player, so you can learn a lot from him.»

The veteran center offered support for Bedard ahead of his NHL debut.

«I think he's a really good player. He's going to get a really good opportunity there to be one of the guys, if not the guy,» Crosby said.

Bedard joins a list of players to face off against a beloved superstar early in his career.

In his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Iverson faced a big assignment of facing the Chicago Bulls and namely the GOAT: Michael Jordan.

Iverson took advantage of the moment and shook up MJ with his signature crossover.

«All I could think about is I had no fear,» Iverson told NBA.com. «I feared so many other things off the court, but nothing on the court. [That crossover] was indicative of how I felt as far as being fearless on the court. We was at war. I looked at him as anybody else being in front of me. Coming into the league, I knew if I had the opportunity of trying my move that I was going to