Connor Bedard is a Canadian ice hockey professional playing with the Chicago Blackhawks as of 2024. He was picked first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL and signed a three-year entry-level contract on his 18th birthday, July 17 with the Blackhawks. He debuted in the same year on October 10, where he scored his first-ever NHL point in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bedard scored two goals and two assists and claimed victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 9. With this score, he became the third youngest player in the NHL to record four points in a game and the youngest player in the Blackhawks franchise. According to Spotrac, Connor Bedard is under a three-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, worth $13,350,000 with a cap hit of $950,000.
Connor Bedard Records
According to the NHL, Conor Bedard, a native of North Vancouver, made history when he was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft. He became the second player from Regina of the WHL to be chosen at No. 1 and the second British Columbia-born player to reach this milestone. In his rookie NHL season, Bedard earned the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year, leading all NHL rookies and the Blackhawks in goals (22), assists (39), and points (61), despite missing 14 games.
Bedard scored his first NHL goal in his second game, at 18 years and 86 days old, becoming the third-youngest player in Blackhawks history to do so. On March 12, 2024, he recorded a five-point game against the Anaheim Ducks, joining an elite group of 18-year-olds to achieve this. Before joining the NHL, Bedard led the WHL with 71 goals, and 143 points, and won awards for Top Prospect, Top Scorer, and Player of the Year. He also led Canada to gold at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he was the top forward, MVP, and points leader (23 points in seven games).
Records | Achievement | Details |
2023 NHL Draft First Overall Pick | Selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks | Second player from Regina (WHL) and the second British Columbia-born player to be chosen No. 1. |
2024 Calder Trophy (NHL Rookie of the Year) | Winner of the 2024 Calder Trophy | Led NHL rookies and Blackhawks in goals (22), assists (39), and points (61), despite 14 games missed. |
Second-Youngest Rookie Leader in Goals, Assists, and Points | Led rookies in all three categories | Followed only Nathan MacKinnon (2013-14) as the youngest player to do so. |
First NHL Goal | Scored his first NHL goal in his second game | Achieved at 18 years, 86 days, third-youngest in Blackhawks history to score a first NHL goal. |
Five-Point Game Against Anaheim Ducks | Scored one goal and four assists in a single game | Accomplished on March 12, 2024, one of only five 18-year-olds in NHL history to achieve this. |
WHL Leading Scorer and Awards | Led WHL with 71 goals and 143 points | Won CHL Top Prospect, Top Scorer, and Player of the Year awards for his outstanding season. |
2023 IIHF World Junior Championship | Gold Medal with Canada, Top Forward, MVP, Points Leader | Led tournament with 23 points in seven games, helping Canada secure gold. |
Connor Bedard Miletones
According to the NHL, Connor Bedard received WHL Exceptional Player Status in 2020 and was named WHL Rookie of the Year in 2021. In 2023, he was drafted first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming the second Regina player and second British Columbian to be picked No. 1. That same year, he led Canada to gold at the World Junior Championship, earning MVP honors. In his NHL debut season, he scored his first point in his debut game, his first goal in his second game, and later achieved a five-point game, joining a select group of 18-year-olds. Bedard capped off 2024 by winning the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year, earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team, and playing in his first NHL All-Star Game.
Milestones | Achievement | Details |
WHL Exceptional Player Status | Received WHL Exceptional Player Status | First player in WHL history to receive this status, allowing early entry into the league. |
WHL Rookie of the Year | Named WHL Rookie of the Year | Recognized for outstanding performance during his rookie season in the WHL. |
1st Overall NHL Draft Pick | Drafted 1st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks | Second player from Regina and the second British Columbian to be selected No. 1 overall. |
First NHL Goal | Scored his first NHL goal in his second game | Achieved at 18 years, 86 days, third-youngest in Blackhawks history to score a first NHL goal. |
Five-Point Game Against Anaheim Ducks | Scored one goal and four assists in a single game | Accomplished on March 12, 2024, one of only five 18-year-olds in NHL history to achieve this. |
WHL Leading Scorer and Awards | Led WHL with 71 goals and 143 points | Won CHL Top Prospect, Top Scorer, and Player of the Year awards for his outstanding season. |
World Junior Championship Gold and MVP | Led Canada to a gold medal, earned MVP honors | Top scorer and MVP, leading the tournament with 23 points. |
Connor Bedard Awards
According to the NHL, Connor Bedard has received numerous awards throughout his hockey career. In the WHL, he earned Exceptional Player Status in 2020, the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2021, and in 2023 he won both the Bob Clarke Trophy as the league's top scorer and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as Player of the Year. In the NHL, he received the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence in 2023, participated in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, won the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year, and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2024.
Award | Year |
WHL | |
WHL Exceptional Player Status | 2020 |
Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy | 2021 |
Bob Clarke Trophy | 2023 |
Four Broncos Memorial Trophy | 2023 |
NHL | |
E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence | 2023 |
NHL All-Star Game | 2024 |
Calder Memorial Trophy | 2024 |
NHL All-Rookie Team | 2024 |
Read More: Connor Bedard's Girlfriend
FAQ on Connor Bedard
A. Connor Bedard was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
A. Connor Bedard is currently 19 years old.
A. Connor Bedard plays as a center.
A. Connor Bedard plays for the Chicago Blackhawks.
A. Connor Bedard has represented Canada in international competitions.