As expected, it didn’t take long for Connor Bedard to become the new face of the Chicago Blackhawks and the “Original Six” franchise’s best homegrown talent.
Heralded as hockey’s next generational talent, the NHL’s No. 1 draft pick of 2023 lived up unprecedented hype almost immediately. Although Bedard fell short of the point-per-game production some projected, he led all rookies with 22 goals, 61 points and 206 shots on goal in 68 games in 2023-24. He’s a finalist and probably the favorite for the Calder Trophy.
“On the ice, he certainly delivered everything you would want out of a first-year, 18-year-old player and someone of his skill set,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said. “I was really impressed and I don’t think many other players could walk in an do what he did.”
Bedard had his streaks and ups-and-downs, but was the most visible player on a rebuilding Chicago team that was decimated by injuries and finished at 23-53-6. The phenom was hurt himself, suffering a broken jaw on a hit in New Jersey on Jan. 5, 2024 that caused him to miss 14 games. He was on pace for 73 points in a full 82-game season.
There were times when Bedard was kept in check, especially since opposing teams often could focus on him and usual linemate Phillip Kurashev. Both Bedard and Kurashev finished with minus-44 plus/minus marks, second worst in the NHL on a team with a minus-111 goals differential.
Bedard Rookie Highlights
Bedard had some splashy high points. That included a two-goal, two assist effort in a 5-3 win at Tampa Bay on Nov. 9. He posted a season-high five points (one goal, four assists) in a 7-2 takedown of Anaheim on March 12.
For pure drama, Bedard scored both goals against Vezina Trophy finalist Connor Hellebuyck in a 2-1 home win over Winnipeg on Dec. 27. Bedard’s overtime game-winner had a teenage girl in the packed United Center in tears.
Bedard is only going to get better. The North Vancouver, British Columbia native is focused on hockey, seemingly 24/7 as a driven professional, even though he doesn’t turn 19 until July 17.
“I’m not happy with it,” Bedard said of his rookie season. “Really, I mean if you think you’re too happy about it, then maybe it’s something you gotta look at.
“I think that gives you the opportunity to get better and grow, and come into the next year hungry,” he added. “We’re all going to be super-motivated coming into next year with a chip on our shoulder with the kinds of things we went through this year, and I think that’s going to be a positive for us.”
Like all NHL players, Bedard will be following an off-ice training regimen under his team’s guidance. Throw in ample shinny and roller hockey with his “hockey-homies” in the Vancouver area for good measure.
On the ice, Bedard will focus on gaining a bit of speed. He’s quick, but still seems be in awe of the pure velocity of Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and explosive acceleration of Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon, two finalists for the Hart Trophy.
“I’m just going to work on anything to create more offense,” Bedard said. “At home we do a lot of 3-on-3 and 2-on-2 stuff (on the ice) and fun stuff like that. I think that’s just the creativity of the game and having fun.
“Some things are harder to work on in the summer, D-Zone stuff,” Bedard added. “But obviously I want to get faster in the gym. More explosive probably and a little stronger for puck battles and net front and stuff like that.”
Off-Ice Poise
Bedard also carried himself superbly off the ice, Davidson said. In just about every city, Bedard was mobbed by media and fans. All eyes were on him in every arena.
“I think it was incredible,” Davidson said. “I think the expectation, the weight that was put on his shoulders, given his profile walking into the league was really difficult to handle.”
The build-up and hype leading to Bedard’s arrival in the NHL may have been the most intense for any player in league history. It easily topped the buzz surrounding the Blackhawks’ only other No. 1 overall pick, Patrick Kane in 2007. It exceeded what Sydney Crosby, Mario Lemieux and even Wayne Gretzky faced in an era before social media and round-the-clock TV sports programming inflamed attention.
Bedard quietly wants to to reach the level of any of those mega-stars. He’s just not mentioning any names.
At the NHLPA/Upper Deck Rookie Showcase in Arlington, Virginia last September, Upper Deck began capturing images of Bedard, fellow Blackhawks rookie Kevin Korchinski and 33 other top NHL prospects for trading cards that were released in various collections and formats for the 2023-24 season.
Bedard rookie trading cards were made available in Upper Deck flagship products such as Young Guns, Future Watch during the 2023-24 season at hobby shops and via Upper Deck Authorized Internet Retailers (AIRS).
