Bedard Takes the Next Step as Blackhawks Captain
Written by Derrik Maguire
On September 15, the Chicago Blackhawks named Connor Bedard as the franchise’s 37th captain. After signing a five-year extension worth $75 million over the offseason, Bedard is now the second-youngest captain in franchise history at just 21 years old. Gaining the captaincy of any team, but especially an Original Six club, adds a level of expectation. Yet Bedard is unusually prepared to carry that weight, as his entire career has been built on dealing with lofty expectations.
Although Bedard will don the “C” for the first time in the NHL, it won’t be the first time he has been captain of a team. Prior to his NHL days, Bedard was a teenage sensation with the WHL’s Regina Pats. By the time his draft season came, he was given the honor of being their captain. In that 2022-23 season, Bedard put up 143 points in 57 games.
That stat line only amplified the already extreme buzz surrounding Bedard. As the draft neared, Bedard effectively became the generational center and supposed savior, comparable to Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. Those expectations followed him immediately into the NHL, with his first career game coming against Crosby and the Penguins, while each of his first two games was nationally televised in the United States.
“The outside noise and stuff, you can’t really control. But you can control how you are to everyone, how much effort you’re putting forth on the ice. It’s kind of my mindset,” Bedard said during his rookie season.
This mindset has helped him navigate the expectations surrounding him. Instead of focusing on what others expect, he has emphasized controlling what he can, both on and off the ice.
Over his first three seasons, Bedard has become the face of the franchise, leading the Blackhawks in scoring in each season. Last season, Bedard made true strides in his game. Not only did he have his first 30-goal and point-per-game season, but he also became much more aggressive shooting the puck and crucially bumped his faceoff percentage from 38% up to 47%. He also averaged the highest ice time among all Blackhawks forwards by more than two minutes last season, proving he can carry the load.
“He has earned the respect of his teammates and the entire organization,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said, highlighting how Bedard prepares, competes and conducts himself every day.
That development has now turned the expectations surrounding Bedard into an official leadership role.
For Bedard, being handed that responsibility at 21 years old has not been lost on him either. After being named captain, Bedard called the moment “pretty surreal,” adding that having the trust of people whose opinions he values made it special. The pressure around Bedard is no longer solely about becoming the superstar many expected him to become. Now, he has the responsibility of leading the players around him as well.
Even with the new responsibility, the Blackhawks have made sure to surround Bedard with veteran experience, bringing back Patrick Kane, a former first overall pick, alternate captain and three-time Stanley Cup winner with the franchise. If anyone knows the pressure of being “the guy” for the Blackhawks, it is Kane. Kane also brings an added offensive punch, as the Blackhawks only had two other players eclipse the 40-point mark last season.
Bedard’s first opportunity to lead the Blackhawks with the “C” on his chest will have to wait, as he is set to miss the early part of the season following shoulder surgery. Still, Blackhawks fans can look forward to seeing the past, present and future of the franchise once Bedard and Kane share the ice together.
As the Blackhawks look to continue to grow as a team, handing Bedard the captaincy doesn’t just reaffirm the belief they have in him. For years, the expectation was that Bedard would one day become the player capable of leading Chicago’s rebuild. At 21 years old, the Blackhawks are no longer waiting for that day. They are trusting him to lead it now.
