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The long wait is over for Connor Bedard and Chicago Blackhawks fans around the world: Bedard is the NHL Rookie of the Year.
It was never in doubt.
Earning 152 first-place votes, Bedard earned the Calder Trophy over Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber and New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes. Faber earned 42 first-place votes and Hughes had zero.
Bedard lead all NHL rookies in points (61), goals (22), and was tied for the most assists (29) with Faber. He did it in 68 games, 14 fewer than both Faber and Hughes.
With the win, Bedard becomes the tenth Chicago Blackhawks player to be named the NHL Rookie of the Year, joining Mike Karakas (‘36), Cully Dahlstrom (‘38), Ed Litzenberger (‘55), Bill Hay (‘60), Tony Esposito (‘70), Steve Larmer (‘83), Ed Belfour (‘91), Patrick Kane (‘08) and Artemi Panarin (‘16).