There are few greater honors in hockey than donning the “C” on your sweater.
That honor will now be bestowed upon Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard.
“Being named captain of the Blackhawks is an unbelievable honor and something I’m truly humbled by,” Bedard said in a statement Tuesday. “The captains who have come before me have left an incredible legacy. To now have the opportunity to carry that tradition forward is something I don’t take lightly.”
Bedard, 21, becomes the second-youngest captain in Blackhawks history at 21 years, 60 days old, behind only Jonathan Toews, who was named captain on July 18, 2008, at 20 years, 80 days old.
Entering his fourth season with the Blackhawks since being selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Bedard has scored 75 goals and 128 assists in 219 games. He is expected to miss the start of the season after suffering an offseason training injury that required shoulder surgery in July.
“Connor perfectly embodies what it means to be a Blackhawk,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said. “From the moment he entered the League, Connor has led by example and has set a remarkable standard for himself while demonstrating his ability to make the players around him better. He has earned the respect of his teammates and the entire organization through the way he prepares, competes and conducts himself every single day, and there is no doubt that he is ready to take on this tremendous responsibility.”
Bedard will serve as the 37th captain in Blackhawks history, replacing Nick Foligno, who was dealt to the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline last March and re-signed with the Wild in the offseason.
The CHGO staff weighs in …
Mario Tirabassi: The worst-kept secret in hockey is finally out: The Chicago Blackhawks are Connor Bedard’s team. If this announcement had come the day after he was taken No.1 overall in 2023, most people would not have batted an eye at it.
Now entering Year 4 for Bedard in Chicago, the role of captain fits him perfectly as the new era of Blackhawks hockey arrives in its fullest form this season. The Blackhawks will be one of the youngest teams in the NHL – if not the youngest – this year and leading them is one of the brightest stars in the league. Bedard has shown on and off the ice the ability to lead the team by example and has had the organization on his back since day one.
Even in the wake of the return of one of the greatest Blackhawks players ever, Patrick Kane, the organization is putting the future first and finally officially making Bedard the leader of this new chapter of hockey in Chicago.
Jay Zawaski: It was a matter of time until Connor Bedard was named the Blackhawks captain. Since the day Kyle Davidson and the Blackhawks elected a full rebuild, Bedard was the target as a player and as a leader, and it finally comes to fruition today.
A lot has been said in circles like ours about the importance of captains in hockey, but it’s undeniable that this means something to Bedard. When the team put an A on his sweater last season, he responded immediately. He showed more command on the ice and wore the letter with pride. It meant something to him.
Some may be surprised that the Blackhawks didn’t give the C to Patrick Kane.
Don’t be.
Kane decided to come back to Chicago knowing this was Bedard’s team, captaincy or not.
Patrick Norton: Nick Foligno served as the perfect bridge from Jonathan Toews until Bedard was ready for the captaincy. That day has come. One could argue that day actually came a while back.
The only question when Patrick Kane made his triumphant return to the Blackhawks back in July was whether or not he might throw a wrench into the captaincy plans. It wouldn’t have made much sense, despite Kane serving as an alternate for parts of his last eight seasons with the Blackhawks (2015-23).
The Blackhawks have already ushered in the youth movement. Handing over the keys to Bedard was just a matter of time.
