Bedard Named Blackhawks Captain
The Chicago Blackhawks have named Connor Bedard as their 37th franchise captain.
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Key Points
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Bedard is the youngest captain in the NHL, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, joining a modern group of star-player captains that includes Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Nick Suzuki and Clayton Keller.
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Bedard’s five-year, $75 million extension carries a $15 million annual salary-cap hit, and he is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing left shoulder surgery.
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Beyond his NHL accomplishments, Bedard won back-to-back World Junior gold medals in 2022 and 2023; at the 2023 tournament, he led all players with nine goals and 23 points and was named both MVP and top forward.
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Bedard became the third Blackhawks player to score 30 goals at age 20 or younger, joining Jonathan Toews and Eric Daze. He also became the first player in franchise history to reach 200 career points at age 20 or younger, doing so against San Jose on April 6.
The Chicago Blackhawks named Connor Bedard their 37th captain on Wednesday, making the 21-year-old the face of the franchise Reuters. Bedard becomes the second-youngest captain in team history, behind Jonathan Toews, after serving as an alternate captain and posting career highs of 30 goals and 75 points in 69 games last season Chicago Hockey Now.
The promotion comes after Bedard signed a five-year, $75 million extension with an annual cap hit of $15 million Chicago Hockey Now. However, he is expected to miss the start of the 2026-27 season while recovering from left shoulder surgery.
From Prospect to Franchise Leader
Bedard was the first-overall pick in 2023 and has lived up to the hype with 203 career points in just 219 games Reuters. In his last full season, he became the third Blackhawks player to score 30 goals at age 20 or younger, joining Jonathan Toews and Eric Daze Chicago Hockey Now. He also became the first player in franchise history to reach 200 career points before turning 21.
A Historic Achievement on the International Stage
Bedard's resume extends far beyond his NHL performances. He won back-to-back World Junior gold medals in 2022 and 2023, dominating the 2023 tournament with nine goals and 23 points Chicago Hockey Now. He was named both tournament MVP and top forward, cementing his status as a generational talent.
The Youngest Captain in the Modern NHL
Bedard joins an elite group of young star captains in the league Chicago Hockey Now. His peers include Edmonton's Connor McDavid, Toronto's Auston Matthews, Montreal's Nick Suzuki, and Arizona's Clayton Keller. At 21, Bedard is the youngest captain in the NHL and will be responsible for leading Chicago through its rebuilding phase.
Recovery Timeline Could Impact Early Season
The Blackhawks face a challenge with Bedard sidelined by shoulder surgery to start the season. The organization will lean on veteran players to stabilize the team while their captain recovers. Bedard's contract extension locks him in through his prime years, signaling the team's commitment to building around him as the centerpiece of a future contender.
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