{{short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 2005)}} {{Use Canadian English|date=November 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox ice hockey biography | name = Connor Bedard | image = Connor Bedard (534004210941).jpg | image_size = 230px | caption = Bedard with the Chicago Blackhawks in December 2023 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2005|07|17}} | birth_place = North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 10 | weight_lb = 190 | position = Centre | shoots = Right | league = NHL | team = Chicago Blackhawks | prospect_team = | prospect_league = | former_teams = | ntl_team = CAN | draft = 1st overall | draft_year = 2023 | draft_team = Chicago Blackhawks | career_start = 2023 | career_end = }} '''Connor Bedard''' (born July 17, 2005) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a centre and alternate captain for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Considered one of the top ice hockey prospects of his generation, he was selected first overall by the Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL entry draft and made his NHL debut that year. Bedard would go on to win the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year in 2024.
Bedard was selected by the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL) first overall in the WHL Bantam Draft in 2020 as the first WHL player of exceptional player status and won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie player in his debut season.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=March 25, 2020|title=Connor Bedard Granted First-Ever WHL Exceptional Status|url=https://thehockeywriters.com/connor-bedard-granted-whl-exceptional-status/|access-date=November 28, 2020|website=The Hockey Writers|last1=Bell|first1=Josh|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124062337/https://thehockeywriters.com/connor-bedard-granted-whl-exceptional-status/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rookie of the Year"/> In his third year in the WHL, he won the Bob Clarke Trophy as the league's leading scorer and was given the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as its most valuable player, before also earning the Canadian Hockey League's Top Scorer and Player of the Year honours.<ref name=ClarkeTrophy/><ref name=FourBroncos/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Connor Bedard at eliteprospects.com|url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/535584/connor-bedard|access-date=November 28, 2020|website=Elite Prospects|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129162701/https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/535584/connor-bedard|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CHL23/>
Competing internationally for Canada, Bedard won championships with the Canadian national under-18 team in 2021 and with the Canadian national junior team in 2022 and 2023. His 2023 tournament performance set several national and international points records and led to him being named the event's MVP. Bedard was the inaugural recipient of the IIHF Male Player of the Year award.<ref name=IIHF23/>
==Early life== Bedard was born on July 17, 2005, and grew up in North Vancouver, British Columbia, with his parents, Tom and Melanie, and sister Madi.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lazerus |first=Mark |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4712871/2023/07/24/blackhawks-connor-bedard-parents/ |title=Lazerus: Connor Bedard's parents cope with universal — yet unique — emotions |work=The Athletic |publisher=New York Times |date=July 24, 2024 |access-date=June 15, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=Emily |title=How Connor Bedard became hockey's next young superstar |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37475395/connor-bedard-no-1-pick-nhl-draft-next-hockey-superstar |access-date=May 9, 2023 |agency=ESPN |date=May 8, 2023 |archive-date=May 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508133931/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37475395/connor-bedard-no-1-pick-nhl-draft-next-hockey-superstar |url-status=live }}</ref> Connor's great-great uncle James Bedard played 22 NHL games for Chicago between 1949 and 1951.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morreale |first1=Mike G. |title=Bedard family has connection to Draft Lottery-winning Blackhawks |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-great-great-uncle-james-played-for-blackhawks/c-344255356 |access-date=May 10, 2023 |publisher=National Hockey League |date=May 9, 2023 |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509071105/https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-great-great-uncle-james-played-for-blackhawks/c-344255356 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Bedard emerged as a young hockey prospect, being named "The Future of Hockey" in an article by ''The Hockey News''.<ref name=HockeyNews181116>{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Ken|title=Meet the future of hockey, 13-year-old Connor Bedard|url=https://www.si.com/hockey/news/meet-the-future-of-hockey-13-year-old-connor-bedard|access-date=November 28, 2020|website=The Hockey News|date=November 16, 2018|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111195632/https://www.si.com/hockey/news/meet-the-future-of-hockey-13-year-old-connor-bedard|url-status=live}}</ref> Bedard played minor hockey with West Vancouver Academy Prep of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.<ref name=":0" /> While playing with this school's U15 and U18 teams, Bedard led the league in goals and points and was named most valuable player both years.<ref name=":0" /> Bedard grew up a fan of the Vancouver Canucks and went to home games at Rogers Arena several times,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-17 |title=Bedard's homecoming special despite Blackhawks loss to Canucks {{!}} NHL.com |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/blackhawks-connor-bedard-struggles-in-vancouver-homecoming |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=www.nhl.com |language=en}}</ref> but considered Sidney Crosby his childhood idol.<ref>{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Tracey |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-talks-with-sidney-crosby-at-nhl-player-media-tour# |title=Bedard mingles with Crosby at NHL Player Media Tour |work=NHL |date=September 12, 2023 |access-date=February 8, 2024 }}</ref>
==Playing career== ===Regina Pats (2020–2023)=== In March 2020, Bedard was granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada, allowing him to enter the major junior-level Canadian Hockey League component leagues a year early.<ref name=NHL200326>{{cite news |title=14-year-old Bedard granted exceptional player status for WHL |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-granted-exceptional-player-status-for-whl/c-316282512 |access-date=May 4, 2021 |work=National Hockey League |date=March 26, 2020 |archive-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504174430/https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-granted-exceptional-player-status-for-whl/c-316282512 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BC Hockey announces exceptional player status for Connor Bedard|website=Western Hockey League|url=https://whl.ca/article/bc-hockey-announces-exceptional-player-status-for-connor-bedard|access-date=November 28, 2020|date=March 24, 2020|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121215937/https://whl.ca/article/bc-hockey-announces-exceptional-player-status-for-connor-bedard|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the first player granted such status to play in the Western Hockey League (WHL).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cosentino |first1=Sam |date=April 27, 2020 |title=What makes Connor Bedard such an exceptional player |work=Sportsnet |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/makes-connor-bedard-exceptional-player/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504174432/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/makes-connor-bedard-exceptional-player/ |archive-date=May 4, 2021}}</ref> In the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, Bedard was selected first overall by the Regina Pats.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=NEWS: Pats Sign 2020 First Overall Pick Connor Bedard|url=https://reginapats.com/video/news-pats-sign-2020-first-overall-pick-connor-bedard|access-date=November 28, 2020|date=April 21, 2020|website=Regina Pats|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024200252/https://reginapats.com/video/news-pats-sign-2020-first-overall-pick-connor-bedard|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Bantam Draft|url=https://whl.ca/draft/2020|access-date=November 28, 2020|archive-date=December 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228140215/https://whl.ca/draft/2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020, Bedard was loaned to the HV71 junior hockey system in Sweden, where he could play while the WHL season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He played with HV71 until the WHL returned to play for its 2020–21 season beginning in March 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/hockey-connor-bedard-sweden-regina-1.6010168|title=The next Connor: Hockey's latest phenom went distance to find a game in pandemic|last=Clipperton|first=Joshua|date=April 30, 2021|publisher=CBC.ca|access-date=August 15, 2023|archive-date=August 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816015339/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/hockey-connor-bedard-sweden-regina-1.6010168|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to the pandemic, his rookie season was a shortened one with all of the Pats games played at Regina's Brandt Centre. As a rookie, Bedard scored 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points in 15 games before leaving for the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships. He was awarded the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL's rookie of the year.<ref name="Rookie of the Year">{{cite web |title=Pats forward Bedard wins Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as 2020-21 WHL Rookie of the Year |url=https://whl.ca/article/pats-forward-bedard-wins-jim-piggott-memorial-trophy-as-2020-21-whl-rookie-of-the-year |website=WHL.ca |access-date=December 13, 2021 |date=June 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213220946/https://whl.ca/article/pats-forward-bedard-wins-jim-piggott-memorial-trophy-as-2020-21-whl-rookie-of-the-year |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Aykroyd|first=Lucas|date=May 7, 2021|title=Michkov named MVP|url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2021/wm18/news/25359/mvp-all-star-2021-u18-worlds|url-status=live|access-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507040856/https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2021/wm18/news/25359/mvp-all-star-2021-u18-worlds |work=IIHF|archive-date=May 7, 2021}}</ref>
During the 2021–22 WHL season, Bedard became the youngest player to score 50 or more goals in a season, scoring his 50th and 51st goals in the last game of the regular season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Connor Bedard becomes youngest WHL player to score 50 goals in a season |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/connor-bedard-becomes-youngest-whl-player-to-score-50-goals-in-a-season/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=April 19, 2022 |date=April 17, 2022 |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418080219/https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/connor-bedard-becomes-youngest-whl-player-to-score-50-goals-in-a-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He finished the year with 51 goals and 49 assists for 100 points, ranking second in the WHL in goals and fourth in points. He was only the third 16-year-old to manage a 100-point season in the WHL, and the first to do so in the 21st century.<ref>{{cite web |title=Looking at 16-year-old WHL phenom Connor Bedard's historic season |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/looking-at-16-year-old-whl-phenom-connor-bedards-historic-season/ |last=Sadler |first=Emily |website=Sportsnet |access-date=April 19, 2022 |date=April 19, 2022 |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419163517/https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/looking-at-16-year-old-whl-phenom-connor-bedards-historic-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite Bedard's scoring, the Pats narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs. As he attended the 2022 NHL entry draft as an observer, Bedard was profiled in ''The New York Times'' as "the most exciting future NHL player attending this week’s draft."<ref name=NYT220708>{{cite web |title=He's the N.H.L.'s Next Big Star. He Just Has to Wait a Year. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/08/sports/hockey/connor-bedard-nhl-draft.html |last=Joyce |first=Gare |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=July 13, 2022 |date=July 8, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713210200/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/08/sports/hockey/connor-bedard-nhl-draft.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
After not recording a point in his opening game of the 2022–23 season, Bedard embarked on a lengthy points streak that made him the league's top scorer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Connor Bedard watch: Which NHL team has best shot at drafting generational talent?|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2023/01/06/connor-bedard-watch-nhl-draft-best-odds-generational-talent/10851476002/|last=Brehm|first=Mike|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=January 9, 2023|date=January 6, 2023|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109061402/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2023/01/06/connor-bedard-watch-nhl-draft-best-odds-generational-talent/10851476002/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 17, he became the first WHL player in a decade to record twenty-game point streaks in consecutive seasons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Connor Bedard records 20-game point streak in back-to-back WHL seasons|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/bedard-records-20-game-point-streak-in-back-to-back-whl-seasons/|website=Sportsnet|access-date=January 9, 2023|date=November 17, 2022|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109163440/https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/bedard-records-20-game-point-streak-in-back-to-back-whl-seasons/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bedard was noted for attracting large crowds for the Pats' road games; his first-ever return to the Greater Vancouver area for a game against the Vancouver Giants drew over 5,000 fans, which was nearly double the Giants' season average.<ref>{{cite news |title=Connor Bedard's point streak hits 22 games at Pats beat Giants |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/connor-bedards-point-streak-hits-22-games-as-pats-beat-giants |last=Schram |first=Carol |magazine=The Hockey News |access-date=January 9, 2023 |date=November 26, 2022 |archive-date=January 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109163441/https://thehockeynews.com/news/connor-bedards-point-streak-hits-22-games-as-pats-beat-giants |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite missing eleven games in December and early January while attending the World Junior Championships, Bedard still led the WHL in scoring upon his return to the lineup on January 8, where he had four goals and two assists in a 6–2 home victory over the Calgary Hitmen.<ref>{{cite web|title=Connor Bedard makes a world of difference to Regina Pats|url=https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/regina-pats/connor-bedard-makes-a-world-of-difference-to-regina-pats|last=Vanstone|first=Rob|newspaper=Regina Leader-Post|access-date=January 9, 2023|date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109003444/https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/regina-pats/connor-bedard-makes-a-world-of-difference-to-regina-pats|url-status=live}}</ref>
With the Pats not considered a title contender, there was media discussion in advance of the WHL's 2023 trade deadline about whether the Pats should seek to trade him to a contending team in exchange for future assets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The hockey world was fixated on Pats in 2023 thanks to Bedard |url=https://www.pressreader.com/canada/regina-leader-post/20231222/281659669848554 |access-date=2024-03-18 |via=PressReader}}</ref> Pats general manager John Paddock asserted that he would not trade Bedard, noting in addition that per WHL rules Bedard would have to consent to be traded, and that "Connor has the final say. He wants to be a Regina Pat and finish his career in Regina, clear?"<ref>{{cite web|title=Should the Regina Pats trade Connor Bedard? Making the case for and against moving the 2023 draft star|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/connor-bedard-potential-trade-regina-pats/k1uzoa1jkxuuye7tamru4e5n|last=Murphy|first=Bryan|website=The Sporting News|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=December 30, 2022|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111150116/https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/connor-bedard-potential-trade-regina-pats/k1uzoa1jkxuuye7tamru4e5n|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pats not expecting to make major moves at WHL trade deadline|url=https://www.cjme.com/2023/01/09/pats-not-expecting-to-make-major-moves-at-whl-trade-deadline/|last=Clausing|first=Shane|website=980 CJME|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=January 9, 2023|archive-date=January 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111043304/https://www.cjme.com/2023/01/09/pats-not-expecting-to-make-major-moves-at-whl-trade-deadline/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ultimately, the trade deadline passed without any transaction.<ref>{{cite news|title=Regina stands pat at WHL trade deadline|url=https://www.ckom.com/2023/01/10/regina-stands-pat-at-whl-trade-deadline/|website=650 CKOM|access-date=January 11, 2023|date=January 10, 2023|archive-date=March 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315220158/https://www.ckom.com/2023/01/10/regina-stands-pat-at-whl-trade-deadline/|url-status=live}}</ref>
thumb|Bedard with the Regina Pats in 2022. While Bedard's status as an audience draw was already apparent earlier in the season, this effect ramped up noticeably following his return from the 2023 World Junior Championships, which had significantly elevated his national profile. A January road trip through the province of Alberta saw team record attendance (7,287) at the Red Deer Rebels' Peavey Mart Centrium, while Medicine Hat Tigers' sellout of their arena saw more than double their average attendance. The Lethbridge Hurricanes offered standing-room only at the Enmax Centre. The Pats played a nationally televised game against the Hitmen in the Saddledome, the home of the NHL's Calgary Flames.<ref name=GlobalNews230202>{{cite web|title='Bedard Bump' sending hockey phenom's stats — and WHL ticket sales — through the roof|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9453794/connor-bedard-bump-whl-ticket-sales/|last=Kepke|first=Cami|website=Global News|access-date=February 2, 2023|date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202063808/https://globalnews.ca/news/9453794/connor-bedard-bump-whl-ticket-sales/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Star attraction: Pats' Bedard packing WHL arenas|url=https://www.ckom.com/2023/02/01/star-attraction-pats-bedard-packing-whl-arenas/|last=Lubkiwski|first=Brett|website=650 CKOM|access-date=February 2, 2023|date=February 1, 2023|archive-date=March 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315220133/https://www.ckom.com/2023/02/01/star-attraction-pats-bedard-packing-whl-arenas/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Saddledome's upper seating was made available for the occasion, resulting in a near-record WHL attendance of 17,223 when the Hitmen's seasonal average was only 3500.<ref>{{cite web |title=Another sellout anticipated as Connor Bedard comes to the Saddledome |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/whl-hockey-calgary-saddledome-connor-bedard-1.6733822 |website=CBC Sports |access-date=February 2, 2023 |date=February 2, 2023 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202013845/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/whl-hockey-calgary-saddledome-connor-bedard-1.6733822 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bedard's legend continues to grow with dazzling performance at packed Saddledome|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/bedards-legend-continues-to-grow-with-dazzling-performance-at-packed-saddledome/|last=Francis|first=Eric|website=Sportsnet|access-date=February 2, 2023|date=February 2, 2023|archive-date=February 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202060636/https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/bedards-legend-continues-to-grow-with-dazzling-performance-at-packed-saddledome/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=GlobalNews230202/>
Bedard finished the regular season with 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games, winning the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL's leading scorer. His 143 points also led the CHL in scoring for the year, and he was the first WHL player to have a 140-point season since 1995–96.<ref name=ClarkeTrophy>{{cite web |title=Bedard claims Bob Clarke Trophy as WHL Scoring Champion for 2022-23 |url=https://reginapats.com/article/bedard-claims-bob-clarke-trophy-as-whl-scoring-champion-for-2022-23 |publisher=Regina Pats |access-date=March 31, 2023 |date=March 26, 2023 |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331124125/https://reginapats.com/article/bedard-claims-bob-clarke-trophy-as-whl-scoring-champion-for-2022-23 |url-status=live }}</ref> The league subsequently awarded Bedard the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL player of the year. He was the first draft-eligible player to be named league MVP since Sam Reinhart nine years prior.<ref name=FourBroncos>{{Cite web|title=Bedard named recipient of Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as WHL Player of the Year for 2022-23 presented by Kia|url=https://whl.ca/video/bedard-named-recipient-of-four-broncos-memorial-trophy-as-whl-player-of-the-year-for-2022-23-presented-by-kia|access-date=May 12, 2023|date=May 10, 2023|archive-date=May 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511033543/https://whl.ca/video/bedard-named-recipient-of-four-broncos-memorial-trophy-as-whl-player-of-the-year-for-2022-23-presented-by-kia|url-status=live}}</ref> Bedard was later given the CHL's Top Draft Prospect and Player of the Year awards—becoming the first person to win those and the CHL Top Scorer Award in a single season—and named to the revived CHL First All-Star Team.<ref name=CHL23>{{cite web|title=Regina Pats phenom Connor Bedard makes history at CHL Awards|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/regina-pats-phenom-connor-bedard-makes-history-at-chl-awards/|website=Sportsnet|access-date=June 3, 2023|date=June 3, 2023|archive-date=June 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603224536/https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/regina-pats-phenom-connor-bedard-makes-history-at-chl-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CHLStar>{{Cite web|title=2022-23 CHL All-Star Teams announced|url=https://chl.ca/article/2022-23-chl-star-teams-announced|publisher=Canadian Hockey League|access-date=June 5, 2023|date=June 1, 2023|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605200144/https://chl.ca/article/2022-23-chl-star-teams-announced|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Regina Pats qualified for the 2023 WHL playoffs, drawing a first-round match-up against the Saskatoon Blades. Bedard had two goals and an assist in a 6–1 Regina victory in the series opener, the first playoff points of his career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bedard scores twice as Pats beat Blades in playoff opener|url=https://www.tsn.ca/connor-bedard-regina-pats-beat-saskatoon-blades-in-playoff-opener-1.1939291|website=The Sports Network|access-date=April 1, 2023|date=April 1, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402000806/https://www.tsn.ca/connor-bedard-regina-pats-beat-saskatoon-blades-in-playoff-opener-1.1939291|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pats won the first two games of the series, but lost the next three straight. Bedard had a goal and three assists in Game 6, a 5–3 Regina victory that forced Game 7.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bedard Watch: Pats' phenom has four points as Regina forces Game 7 vs. Blades|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/bedard-watch-pats-phenom-has-four-points-as-regina-forces-game-7-vs-blades/|website=Sportsnet|access-date=April 11, 2023|date=April 8, 2023|archive-date=April 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410090419/https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/bedard-watch-pats-phenom-has-four-points-as-regina-forces-game-7-vs-blades/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pats were eliminated by the Blades, losing Game 7 in Saskatoon by a score of 4–1.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |date=April 11, 2023 |title='What a series': Blades pull out Game 7 win over Pats; Connor Bedard's WHL career comes to a close |work=Saskatoon StarPhoenix |url=https://thestarphoenix.com/sports/hockey/saskatoon-blades/what-a-series-blades-pull-out-game-7-win-over-pats-and-end-connor-bedards-whl-career |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411063641/https://thestarphoenix.com/sports/hockey/saskatoon-blades/what-a-series-blades-pull-out-game-7-win-over-pats-and-end-connor-bedards-whl-career |archive-date=April 11, 2023}}</ref> Bedard had 10 goals and 10 assists in the series, which was expected to mark the end of his WHL and junior career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Connor Bedard's WHL career ends as Pats lose Game 7 to Blades|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/connor-bedards-whl-career-ends-as-pats-lose-game-7-to-blades/|website=Sportsnet|access-date=April 11, 2023|date=April 10, 2023|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411074259/https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/connor-bedards-whl-career-ends-as-pats-lose-game-7-to-blades/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===2023 NHL entry draft=== Bedard attracted considerable interest as a future high selection in the National Hockey League draft from an early age, speculation that was accelerated by his being granted exceptional status to play in the WHL.<ref name=HockeyNews181116/><ref name=NHL200326/> Much of the early conversation two years in advance of the 2023 NHL entry draft involved a debate of his merits versus those of Russian winger Matvei Michkov, also considered a budding top talent with the same draft eligibility. Following their dueling appearances on their respective countries' national teams at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships and the abortive initial edition of the 2022 World Junior Championships, many in the media suggested a career rivalry between them comparable to that between Russian 2004 first overall pick Alexander Ovechkin and Canadian 2005 first overall pick Sidney Crosby.<ref>{{cite news|title=Can Bedard vs. Michkov become the next Sid vs. Ovie?|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/can-bedard-vs-michkov-become-the-next-sid-vs-ovie|last=Campbell|first=Ken|website=The Hockey News|access-date=January 9, 2023|date=May 4, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109225640/https://thehockeynews.com/news/can-bedard-vs-michkov-become-the-next-sid-vs-ovie|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The New Sid and Ovi? Connor Bedard and Matvei Michkov's Rivalry Is Just Starting|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2952031-the-new-sid-and-ovi-connor-bedard-and-matvei-michkovs-rivalry-is-just-starting|last=Schram|first=Carol|website=The Bleacher Report|access-date=January 9, 2023|date=January 3, 2022|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109225637/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2952031-the-new-sid-and-ovi-connor-bedard-and-matvei-michkovs-rivalry-is-just-starting|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=By the Numbers: 2023 draft-eligible Bedard, Michkov impress at WJC|url=https://www.tsn.ca/by-the-numbers-connor-bedard-matvei-michkov-world-juniors-2023-nhl-draft-1.1740226|last=Spiker|first=Brianne|website=TSN|access-date=January 9, 2023|date=December 30, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109225637/https://www.tsn.ca/by-the-numbers-connor-bedard-matvei-michkov-world-juniors-2023-nhl-draft-1.1740226|url-status=live}}</ref> However, following Michkov's signing of a multi-year contract extension with his KHL club SKA Saint Petersburg, as well as geopolitical uncertainties resultant from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was widely presumed that Bedard would be picked first in the draft.<ref name=NYT220708/><ref>{{cite web|title=2023 NHL Mock Draft: Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Matvei Michkov lead early top-32 rankings|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/2023-nhl-draft-lead-top-32-rankings-connor-bedard-adam-fantilli/apvtvoc3gcxz5htmspawlnjm|last=Bell|first=Josh|website=The Sporting News|access-date=January 9, 2023|date=November 18, 2022|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109225638/https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/2023-nhl-draft-lead-top-32-rankings-connor-bedard-adam-fantilli/apvtvoc3gcxz5htmspawlnjm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Athletic221103>{{cite web|title=Is Connor Bedard generational? Will Matvei Michkov fall? Shane Wright's future?: Mailbag|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3752275/2022/11/03/connor-bedard-matvei-michkov/|last=Wheeler|first=Scott|website=The Athletic|access-date=January 9, 2023|date=November 3, 2022|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109225639/https://theathletic.com/3752275/2022/11/03/connor-bedard-matvei-michkov/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Entering his draft year as the consensus choice to be taken first overall, much of the debate around Bedard's future concerned whether he warranted being considered a "generational" talent, comparable to Crosby, Ovechkin and Connor McDavid.<ref name=Athletic221103/><ref>{{cite web |title=WJC Scouting Report: Connor Bedard's generational talent stands out |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/world-juniors/article/wjc-scouting-report-connor-bedards-generational-talent-stands-out/ |last=Bukala |first=Jason |website=Sportsnet |access-date=January 9, 2023 |date=December 28, 2022 |archive-date=January 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109225638/https://www.sportsnet.ca/world-juniors/article/wjc-scouting-report-connor-bedards-generational-talent-stands-out/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=There's no doubt Connor Bedard will be the first pick at the NHL draft, but will he be a generational player? |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-theres-no-doubt-connor-bedard-will-be-the-first-pick-at-the-nhl-draft/ |last=MacGregor |first=Roy |newspaper=Globe & Mail |access-date=January 9, 2023 |date=January 6, 2023 |archive-date=January 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108192400/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-theres-no-doubt-connor-bedard-will-be-the-first-pick-at-the-nhl-draft/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A number of NHL teams, notably the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes, were said to be openly tanking the 2022–23 season in the hopes of obtaining favourable odds in the draft lottery.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why the Coyotes — and several other NHL teams — are tanking for Connor Bedard |url=https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/traikos-why-the-coyotes-and-several-other-nhl-teams-are-tanking-for-connor-bedard |last=Traikos |first=Michael |newspaper=The Toronto Sun |access-date=January 9, 2023 |date=October 17, 2022 |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017175937/https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/traikos-why-the-coyotes-and-several-other-nhl-teams-are-tanking-for-connor-bedard |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tanking for Connor Bedard: Roundtable on the NHL teams with the best shot|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4023286/2022/12/22/nhl-tanking-connor-bedard/|website=The Athletic|access-date=January 9, 2023|date=December 22, 2022|archive-date=January 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113053401/https://theathletic.com/4023286/2022/12/22/nhl-tanking-connor-bedard/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NHL tanking rankings: Who's in prime position to secure Connor Bedard?|last=Srinivasan|first=Arun|url=https://ca.style.yahoo.com/nhl-tanking-rankings-whos-in-prime-position-to-secure-connor-bedard-183606447.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKkdGtShBgmD8Ub8hNsIAo2NLhcl8PxdrEbTGIFKIWpz2DA_lCF3YlIl46-EqE8jLcqV25IytkhnDAtIqYCbdzXXkMF2353JE6MZH2faFL4SwxocC8YNZMCFBVGm9ORJN1Jnyb5BPfC77A74IxfcdaU-Hh-2MskUmBk8EQKSItmX|website=Yahoo!Sports|access-date=January 9, 2023|date=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109225639/https://ca.style.yahoo.com/nhl-tanking-rankings-whos-in-prime-position-to-secure-connor-bedard-183606447.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKkdGtShBgmD8Ub8hNsIAo2NLhcl8PxdrEbTGIFKIWpz2DA_lCF3YlIl46-EqE8jLcqV25IytkhnDAtIqYCbdzXXkMF2353JE6MZH2faFL4SwxocC8YNZMCFBVGm9ORJN1Jnyb5BPfC77A74IxfcdaU-Hh-2MskUmBk8EQKSItmX|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Connor Bedard puts on a show, and NHL teams get their tanking strategies ready|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/scott-stinson-connor-bedard-puts-on-a-show-and-nhl-teams-get-their-tanking-strategies-ready |last=Stinson |first=Scott |newspaper=The National Post |access-date=January 9, 2023 |date=January 4, 2023}}</ref> The Sports Network produced a parody song about this, called "Bad for Bedard".<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2, 2023 |title='Bad for Bedard' - by James Duthie |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/bad-for-bedard-by-james-duthie~2638033 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306232311/https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/bad-for-bedard-by-james-duthie~2638033 |archive-date=March 6, 2023 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |website=The Sports Network (TSN)}}</ref> ESPN remarked that fans of "potential lottery teams have adopted some variation of 'Fail/Tank/Lose Hard for Bedard' as a 2022–23 battle cry."<ref>{{cite web |title=Connor Bedard vs. Adam Fantilli at top of 2023 NHL draft board |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/insider/story/_/id/35286225/connor-bedard-vs-adam-fantilli-top-2023-nhl-draft-board |last=Wyshynski |first=Greg |website=ESPN |access-date=January 10, 2023 |date=December 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110045350/https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/insider/story/_/id/35286225/connor-bedard-vs-adam-fantilli-top-2023-nhl-draft-board |url-status=live }}</ref> The first overall selection was ultimately won by the Blackhawks, making them Bedard's presumptive destination. A ''Chicago Sun-Times'' reporter stated that within an hour and a half of the lottery outcome being announced, Chicago had already sold $2.5 million of season ticket packages.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Civian |first1=Sara |title=Winners and Losers from the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10075331-winners-and-losers-from-the-2023-nhl-draft-lottery |website=The Bleacher Report |date=May 9, 2023 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509123451/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10075331-winners-and-losers-from-the-2023-nhl-draft-lottery |url-status=live }}</ref>
In advance of the draft in Nashville, Bedard received the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence, bestowed by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau to "the candidate who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism."<ref name=McGuire>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-wins-ej-mcguire-award-of-excellence/c-345015244?tid=280503612 |title=Bedard receives E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence |website=NHL.com |first=Mike |last=Morreale |date=June 26, 2023 |access-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627004438/https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-wins-ej-mcguire-award-of-excellence/c-345015244?tid=280503612 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Chicago Blackhawks (2023–present)=== [[File:Connor Bedard (541427773851).jpg|thumb|Bedard playing for the Chicago Blackhawks in November 2024]]
On June 28, 2023, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Bedard first overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft. It was the second Blackhawks' first overall selection in team history, after Patrick Kane in 2007. He was also the second player born in British Columbia selected first overall, after Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-no-1-pick-by-chicago-blackhawks-in-2023-nhl-draft/c-345074766|title=Bedard No. 1 pick by Blackhawks in 2023 NHL Draft|last=Morreale|first=Mike G.|date=June 28, 2023|publisher=NHL.com|access-date=July 1, 2023|archive-date=July 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701160515/https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-no-1-pick-by-chicago-blackhawks-in-2023-nhl-draft/c-345074766|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/no-1-overall-draft-pick-182844681.html|title=No. 1 overall draft pick Connor Bedard begins development camp with Chicago Blackhawks|website=Yahoo!Sports|date=June 30, 2023|access-date=July 2, 2023|archive-date=July 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702153113/https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/no-1-overall-draft-pick-182844681.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Bedard signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on July 17, his 18th birthday.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-sign-bedard-to-entry-level-contract/c-345357096 | title = RELEASE: Blackhawks Sign Bedard to Entry-Level Contract | publisher = Chicago Blackhawks | date = July 17, 2023 | access-date = July 17, 2023 | archive-date = July 17, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230717140731/https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-sign-bedard-to-entry-level-contract/c-345357096 | url-status = live }}</ref> He made his NHL debut on October 10, where Bedard recorded his first point, an assist, in a 4–2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/chicago-blackhawks-pittsburgh-penguins-game-recap-october-10|title=Bedard has assist in NHL debut, Blackhawks rally past Penguins|last=Crosby|first=Wes|date=October 10, 2023|publisher=NHL.com|access-date=October 10, 2023|archive-date=October 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011142450/https://www.nhl.com/news/chicago-blackhawks-pittsburgh-penguins-game-recap-october-10|url-status=live}}</ref> Bedard scored his first NHL goal in the opening period the next night, on October 11, of a 3–1 loss to the Boston Bruins.<ref>{{cite web |title=Connor Bedard scores first NHL goal in Blackhawks' loss to Bruins |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38637171/connor-bedard-scores-first-nhl-goal-blackhawks-loss-bruins |website=ESPN.com |access-date=October 12, 2023 |date=October 11, 2023 |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012025703/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38637171/connor-bedard-scores-first-nhl-goal-blackhawks-loss-bruins |url-status=live }}</ref> His first two NHL games were the most-watched regular season ice hockey games for ESPN and TNT respectively.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gulitti |first=Tom |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-creating-buzz-around-the-nhl |title=Bedard creating buzz around NHL 2 games into Blackhawks career |work=National Hockey League |date=October 12, 2023 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013154412/https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-creating-buzz-around-the-nhl |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 9, Bedard tallied two goals and two assists in a 5–3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the third-youngest player in NHL history to record a four-point game, the youngest rookie to do so since 1944,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lazerus |first=Mark |title=Blackhawks' Bedard youngest since 1944 with 4-point game |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5050298/2023/11/09/blackhawks-connor-bedard-lightning/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |website=The Athletic |date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118201515/https://theathletic.com/5050298/2023/11/09/blackhawks-connor-bedard-lightning/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as becoming the youngest in Blackhawks franchise history to record a multi-goal game.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/10-observations-connor-bedard-explodes-for-4-points-in-blackhawks-win-over-tampa-bay/517953/ |title=10 observations: Connor Bedard explodes for 4 points in Blackhawks' win over Tampa Bay |work=NBC Sports Chicago |date=November 9, 2023 |access-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110033720/https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/10-observations-connor-bedard-explodes-for-4-points-in-blackhawks-win-over-tampa-bay/517953/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 4, 2024, Bedard was selected to represent the Blackhawks at the 2024 National Hockey League All-Star Game. He would have been the youngest All-Star in NHL history;<ref name="as24">{{cite news |last=Pope |first=Ben |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2024/1/4/24024364/connor-bedard-nhl-all-star-game-blackhawks-seth-jones-toronto |title=Blackhawks notes: Connor Bedard to represent Hawks at NHL All-Star Game |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=January 4, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2024 }}</ref> however, the following day, he sustained a broken jaw after a check from New Jersey Devils defenceman Brendan Smith, and was placed on injured reserve for six-to-eight weeks after undergoing surgery.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL all-star, rookie forward Connor Bedard out indefinitely with broken jaw|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/connor-bedard-leaves-game-hit-brendan-smith-nhl-1.7076563 |website=CBC Sports |date=January 6, 2024 |access-date=January 6, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Myers |first1=Tracey |title=Bedard out 6-8 weeks for Blackhawks after surgery for broken jaw |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-injury-status-out-6-8-weeks-after-surgery-on-broken-jaw |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 10, 2024 |date=January 10, 2024}}</ref> Due to the injury, he was excluded from the All-Star Game rosters,<ref>{{cite web |title=Rangers' Trocheck, Jets' Connor Added to 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend Roster |url=https://media.nhl.com/public/news/17623 |website=NHL.com |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=January 22, 2024 |date=January 22, 2024}}</ref> but managed to appear in the "One-Timers" skills competition, serving pucks to Mathew Barzal, Nathan MacKinnon and David Pastrňák.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2024/2/2/24059449/connor-bedard-nhl-all-star-skills-competition-surprise-one-timer-passing|title=Connor Bedard makes surprise cameo as passer in NHL All-Star skills competition|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Pope, Ben |date=February 2, 2024|access-date=February 3, 2024}}</ref> Bedard returned to action on February 15, registering one assist in a 4–1 loss against the Penguins.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Miles |first1=Bruce |title=Crosby scores 2, Penguins spoil Bedard's return to Blackhawks |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-chicago-blackhawks-game-recap-february-15 |website=NHL.com |access-date=February 17, 2024 |date=February 15, 2024}}</ref> On March 12, Bedard put up a career-high of five points, with a goal and four assists to lead the Blackhawks to a 7–2 win over the Anaheim Ducks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 12, 2024 |title=Blackhawks' Bedard has career-high five points in win over Ducks |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/bedard-has-five-points-as-blackhawks-rout-ducks/ |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Sportsnet}}</ref> He finished the season with 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games, leading all NHL rookies, and was the recipient of the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, becoming the first Blackhawks player since Artemi Panarin in 2016 to receive the award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bedard, Faber, Hughes named Calder Trophy finalists|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2024-nhl-calder-trophy-finalists-announced |last= Satriano |first= David |work=NHL.com |date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=April 30, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Calder">{{cite news |url=https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-connor-bedard-named-calder-memorial-trophy-winner-for-2023-24 |title=RELEASE: Bedard Named Calder Memorial Trophy Winner for 2023-24 |work=NHL.com |date=June 27, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024 }}</ref>
Bedard recorded 23 goals and 44 assists for 67 points in all 82 games during his sophomore 2024–25 season.
Early in the 2025–26 season, Bedard recorded his fourth career four-point game in a 4–0 win over the Calgary Flames, becoming the first player since Steven Stamkos to record four or more four-point games before age 21.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nhl/connor-bedard-joins-crosby-tamkos-company-closer-blackhawks-record-four-point-performance/ |title=Connor Bedard Joins Crosby and Stamkos in Elite Company, Moves Closer to Blackhawks Record After Four-Point Performance |website=profootballnetwork.com |author=Ayushi Dutta |date=November 8, 2025 |access-date=November 20, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/chicago-blackhawks-calgary-flames-game-recap-november-7-2025 |title=Bedard gets 4 points, Blackhawks shut out Flames |website=nhl.com |publisher=NHL |author=Laurence Heinen |date=November 8, 2025 |access-date=November 20, 2025}}</ref> Bedard's offensive production continued during the opening month of the 2025–26 NHL season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ocal |first=Arda |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/46903723/nhl-2025-26-best-games-week-connor-bedard-macklin-celebrini-points-leaders |title=The NHL's best this week: Future is now for Celebrini, Bedard |work=ESPN |date=November 10, 2025 |access-date=April 18, 2026}}</ref> He sustained a shoulder injury in December, which sidelined him for 12 games. Bedard was sixth in scoring amongst all skaters in NHL at the time of the injury.<ref>{{cite news |last=Myers |first=Tracey |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-injury-status-update-december-15-2025 |title=Bedard to miss rest of month for Blackhawks, will be reevaluated in January |work=NHL |date=December 17, 2025 |access-date=April 18, 2026}}</ref> He was formally appointed as an alternate captain for the team after captain Nick Foligno was traded midway through the season.<ref name="Sportsnet-26">{{cite news |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/bedard-contract-top-priority-as-blackhawks-enter-pivotal-off-season/ |title=Bedard contract top priority as Blackhawks enter pivotal off-season |work=Sportsnet |date=April 16, 2026 |access-date=April 18, 2026 }}</ref> Bedard tallied career highs with 30 goals and 45 assists in 69 games during the 2025–26 NHL season.<ref name="Sportsnet-26"/>
==International play== {{MedalTableTop|name=|Connor Bedard 2022.08.15.jpg|230px|Bedard serving a penalty at the 2022 World Junior Championships}} {{MedalCountry|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{MedalSport| Ice hockey}} {{MedalCompetition|World Junior Championships}} {{MedalGold|2022 Canada|}} {{MedalGold|2023 Canada|}} {{MedalCompetition|World U18 Championships}} {{MedalGold|2021 United States|}} {{MedalBottom}} In April and May 2021, Bedard played for the Canadian under-18 team at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships in Frisco, Texas, winning a gold medal, tying for second in the tournament in points, and earning a spot on the media all-star team.
On December 12, 2021, Bedard became the seventh 16-year-old to be selected by Canada for the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Donna |title=Connor Bedard named to Canadian junior men's hockey team at 16 |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/connor-bedard-named-to-canadian-junior-mens-hockey-team-at-16/ |website=CTV News |access-date=December 13, 2021 |date=December 12, 2021 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213034020/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/connor-bedard-named-to-canadian-junior-men-s-hockey-team-at-16-1.5704703 |url-status=live }}</ref> Initially the thirteenth forward in the lineup, by the end of the team's first game he had been elevated to the top six. Bedard scored four goals in an 11–2 victory over Austria, breaking Wayne Gretzky's record for most goals by a 16-year-old at the championships, and tying the overall Canadian record for most goals in a single World Junior game.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bedard ties single-game goal record with 4, as Canada dominates Austria at world juniors |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canada-austria-world-juniors-recap-dec-28-2021-1.6299346 |website=CBC Sports |date=December 28, 2021 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229130437/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canada-austria-world-juniors-recap-dec-28-2021-1.6299346 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the tournament was cancelled on December 29 due to concerns about COVID-19; it was subsequently announced that the event would be rebooted in August 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=2022 World Juniors to be played in August, was postponed due to COVID-19|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-wjc-to-be-played-in-august-was-postponed-due-to-coronavirus/c-330902820|website=NHL.com|access-date=February 17, 2022|date=February 17, 2022|archive-date=May 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513045132/https://www.nhl.com/news/2022-wjc-to-be-played-in-august-was-postponed-due-to-coronavirus/c-330902820|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Further IIHF event updates |url=https://www.iihf.com/en/news/32509/further_iihf_event_updates |access-date=April 6, 2022 |date=March 19, 2022 |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511152858/https://www.iihf.com/en/news/32509/further_iihf_event_updates |work=IIHF |url-status=live }}</ref>
On April 18, 2022, Bedard was named to the Canadian team for the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, the only returning player from the previous year's championship team.<ref>{{cite news |title=Connor Bedard headlines Canadian roster set to defend U18 hockey championship |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockey-u18-bedard-headlines-canadian-roster-1.6422823 |website=CBC Sports |date=April 18, 2022 |access-date=April 18, 2022 |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418232234/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockey-u18-bedard-headlines-canadian-roster-1.6422823 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=TSN220428>{{cite web|title=Kemell completes hat trick in OT, Finland beats Canada in U18 quarterfinals|url=https://www.tsn.ca/joakim-kemell-connor-bedard-finland-beats-canada-u18-quarterfinals-1.1792130|website=The Sports Network|access-date=April 30, 2022|date=April 28, 2022|archive-date=April 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430020728/https://www.tsn.ca/joakim-kemell-connor-bedard-finland-beats-canada-u18-quarterfinals-1.1792130|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored a hat trick in the second game of the tournament, an 8–3 victory over Germany, breaking Shane Wright's record for Canada goal-scoring at the U18 Championships, and simultaneously breaking Mathew Barzal's Canada points record.<ref name=DF220425>{{cite web|title=Under-18 World Championship: Connor Bedard makes history, USA dominant|url=https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/under-18-world-championship-connor-bedard-makes-history-usa-dominant/|last=Peters|first=Chris|website=DailyFaceoff.com|access-date=April 25, 2022|date=April 25, 2022|archive-date=April 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425142056/https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/under-18-world-championship-connor-bedard-makes-history-usa-dominant/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in the summer, at the revived World Junior Championships, Bedard again played for Canada, attracting considerable attention for his shot.<ref>{{cite web|title=Showcasing 'super-elite' shot, Bedard continues to amaze in early WJC performance|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/world-juniors/article/showcasing-super-elite-shot-bedard-continues-to-amaze-in-early-wjc-performance/|last=Dixon|first=Ryan|website=Sportsnet|access-date=August 22, 2022|date=August 12, 2022|archive-date=August 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822121308/https://www.sportsnet.ca/world-juniors/article/showcasing-super-elite-shot-bedard-continues-to-amaze-in-early-wjc-performance/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=World Junior Championships: Top 20 plays from the 2022 summer tournament|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/world-junior-championship-top-20-players-from-the-2022-summer-tournament|last=Ellis|first=Steven|website=The Hockey News|access-date=August 22, 2022|date=August 21, 2022|archive-date=August 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821131709/https://thehockeynews.com/news/world-junior-championship-top-20-players-from-the-2022-summer-tournament|url-status=live}}</ref> He recorded four goals and four assists over the course of the seven-game tournament, winning gold with Canada.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canada defeats Finland in OT thriller for gold at world juniors in Edmonton|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/2022-world-juniors-medal-roundup-august-20-1.6557445|last=Sandor|first=Steven|website=CBC Sports|access-date=August 22, 2022|date=August 20, 2022|archive-date=August 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822014546/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/2022-world-juniors-medal-roundup-august-20-1.6557445|url-status=live}}</ref>
On December 12, 2022, Bedard was named to the Canadian national team to compete at the 2023 World Junior Championships.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2023-world-junior-championship-rosters/c-338699372 |title=2023 World Junior Championship rosters |website=NHL.com |first=Adam |last=Kimelman |date=December 12, 2022 |access-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213122950/https://www.nhl.com/news/2023-world-junior-championship-rosters/c-338699372 |url-status=live }}</ref> When he scored the opening goal in the quarter-final match against Slovakia, Bedard broke the Canadian record for career goals and points at the tournament. He also set a new world record for World Junior points by a player under the age of 19, previously held by Jaromír Jágr.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bedard sets 5 records, posts OT winner as Canada tops Slovakia, advances to world junior semis|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canada-slovakia-world-juniors-recap-jan-2-1.6701779|last=Clipperton|first=Joshua|website=CBC Sports|access-date=January 3, 2023|date=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103024645/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/canada-slovakia-world-juniors-recap-jan-2-1.6701779|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bedard magic in OT">{{cite web|title=Bedard magic in OT wins classic|url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2023/wm20/news/41544/can_svk|last=Podnieks|first=Andrew|access-date=January 3, 2023|date=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103024624/https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2023/wm20/news/41544/can_svk|work=IIHF|url-status=live}}</ref> Bedard's game-winning goal, scored in overtime, was called an "indelible stamp" on the tournament.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Ryan|title=Connor Bedard is inevitable at the World Juniors|url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/connor-bedard-is-inevitable-at-the-world-juniors|access-date=January 3, 2023|magazine=The Hockey News|date=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103043121/https://thehockeynews.com/news/connor-bedard-is-inevitable-at-the-world-juniors|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Connor Bedard takes brilliance to another level|url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/regina-pats/rob-vanstone-connor-bedard-takes-brilliance-to-another-level|last=Vanstone|first=Rob|newspaper=Calgary Herald|access-date=January 3, 2023|date=January 3, 2023|archive-date=March 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315220120/https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/regina-pats/rob-vanstone-connor-bedard-takes-brilliance-to-another-level|url-status=live}}</ref> He recorded nine goals and fourteen assists during the seven-game tournament, winning gold with Canada for the second consecutive year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bedard has 'no limit' after dominating World Juniors, teammates say |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-dominated-wjc-team-canada-teammates-say/c-339607678 |access-date=January 9, 2023 |website=NHL.com |archive-date=January 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109150043/https://www.nhl.com/news/connor-bedard-dominated-wjc-team-canada-teammates-say/c-339607678 |url-status=live }}</ref> Bedard was named the championships' best forward and most valuable player by the IIHF directorate, as well as to the media all-star team.<ref name=BestForward/><ref name=AllStar/> Bedard was the inaugural recipient of the IIHF Male Player of the Year award.<ref name=IIHF23/>
Following the end of the 2023–24 NHL season, with the Blackhawks not qualifying for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Bedard accepted an invitation to make his debut with the senior national team at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bedard, Celebrini highlight Canada's roster at the World Championship|url=https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/connor-bedard-macklin-celebrini-highlight-canada-s-roster-at-the-world-championship-1.2114972|website=TSN|date=May 3, 2024|access-date=May 5, 2024}}</ref> Bedard would score his first senior international goal on May 11, 2024, against Great Britain, helping Canada to a 4–2 victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IIHF - GBR - CAN 11.05.2024 - 2024 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - Game Centre Play by play |url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2024/wm/gamecenter/playbyplay/54191/5-gbr-vs-can |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=IIHF International Ice Hockey Federation |language=en}}</ref> He began the tournament with a strong offensive showing, recording five goals and one assist in Team Canada's first three games.<ref name="sharpiro-2024">{{cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Alex |url=https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/connor-bedard-bounces-back-after-relegation-to-13th-forward-duties-for-team-canada/564352/?partner=yahoo&cid=yahoo |title=Connor Bedard bounces back after relegation to 13th forward duties for Team Canada |work=NBC Sports Chicago |date=May 23, 2024 |access-date=May 27, 2024 }}</ref> However, his production subsequently tapered off, with no points registered in the following four contests. Bedard's offensive drought led to diminished ice-time before he was relegated to Team Canada's 13th forward.<ref name="sharpiro-2024"/> He appeared in the Canada's final game against Sweden, where he was held without a point in a 4–2 loss to Sweden. Bedard finished the tournament with eight points in ten games.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carlson |first=Matt |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/connor-bedard-and-blackhawks-iihf-world-championship-report-card-so-so-overall |title=Connor Bedard And Blackhawks IIHF World Championship Report Card: So-So Overall |work=The Hockey News |date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=May 27, 2024 }}</ref>
==Career statistics== <!--PLEASE DO NOT UPDATE STATISTICS MID-SEASON, AS IT CREATES MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT SOLVES, AND WIKIPEDIA'S PURPOSE IS NOT TO PROVIDE UP-TO-THE-MINUTE STATISTICS. PLEASE SAVE THE UPDATING OF STATISTICS UNTIL THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON AND/OR PLAYOFFS. UPDATED STATISTICS WILL BE REVERTED.-->
===Regular season and playoffs=== <small>'''Bold''' indicates led league</small> {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM |- | 2018–19 | West Van Academy Prep | CSSHL U15 | 30 || 64 || 24 || 88 || 22 | 4 || 5 || 2 || 7 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2019–20 | West Van Academy Prep | CSSHL U18 | 36 || 43 || 41 || 84 || 32 | 1 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0 |- | 2020–21 | HV71 J18 | J18 Region | 1 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0 | ― || ― || ― || ― || ― |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2020–21 | HV71 J20 | J20 National | 4 || 2 || 2 || 4 || 0 | ― || ― || ― || ― || ― |- | 2020–21 | Regina Pats | WHL | 15 || 12 || 16 || 28 || 6 | ― || ― || ― || ― || ― |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2021–22 | Regina Pats | WHL | 62 || 51 || 49 || 100 || 42 | ― || ― || ― || ― || ― |- | 2022–23 | Regina Pats | WHL | 57 || '''71''' || '''72''' || '''143''' || 62 | 7 || 10 || 10 || 20 || 8 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2023–24 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 68 || 22 || 39 || 61 || 28 | ― || ― || ― || ― || ― |- | 2024–25 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 82 || 23 || 44 || 67 || 70 | ― || ― || ― || ― || ― |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2025–26 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 69 || 30 || 45 || 75 || 50 | ― || ― || ― || ― || ― |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 219 !! 75 !! 128 !! 203 !! 148 ! ― !! ― !! ― !! ― !! ― |}
===International=== <small>'''Bold''' indicates led tournament</small>
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM |- | 2021 | Canada | U18 | {{gold1}} | 7 || 7 || 7 || 14 || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2022 | Canada | U18 | 5th | 4 || 6 || 1 || 7 || 4 |- | 2022{{efn|The initial 2022 World Junior Championships was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however the scoring from that tournament was still counted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/article/connor-bedard-named-world-junior-mvp-after-rewriting-record-books/|title=Connor Bedard named world junior MVP after rewriting record books|website=Sportsnet|date=January 5, 2023|access-date=March 9, 2023|archive-date=March 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309140923/https://www.sportsnet.ca/article/connor-bedard-named-world-junior-mvp-after-rewriting-record-books/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bedard magic in OT"/>}} | Canada | WJC | — | 2 || 4 || 1 || 5 || 0 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2022 | Canada | WJC | {{gold1}} | 7 || 4 || 4 || 8 || 2 |- | 2023 | Canada | WJC | {{gold1}} | 7 || '''9''' || '''14''' || '''23''' || 2 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2024 | Canada | WC | 4th | 10 || 5 || 3 || 8 || 10 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4"|Junior totals ! 27 !! 30 !! 27 !! 57 !! 10 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4"|Senior totals ! 10 !! 5 !! 3 !! 8 !! 10 |}
==Awards and honours== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! Ref |- ! colspan="4"|CSSHL |- | CSSHL U15 Most Valuable Player | 2019 | <ref name=":0" /> |- | CSSHL U18 Most Valuable Player | 2020 | <ref name=":0" /> |- ! colspan="4"|WHL |- | WHL Exceptional Player Status | 2020 | <ref name=":4" /> |- | Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy | 2021 | <ref name="Rookie of the Year" /> |- | Bob Clarke Trophy | 2023 | <ref name=ClarkeTrophy/> |- | Four Broncos Memorial Trophy | 2023 | <ref name=FourBroncos/> |- ! colspan="4"|CHL |- | CHL Top Scorer Award | 2023 | <ref name=ClarkeTrophy/> |- | CHL Top Draft Prospect Award | 2023 | <ref name=CHL23/> |- | David Branch Player of the Year Award | 2023 | <ref name=CHL23/> |- | First All-Star Team | 2023 | <ref name=CHLStar/> |- ! colspan="4"|NHL |- | E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence | 2023 | <ref name=McGuire/> |- | NHL All-Star Game | 2024 | <ref name="as24" /> |- | Calder Memorial Trophy | 2024 | <ref name="Calder" /> |- | NHL All-Rookie Team | 2024 | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-announces-2023-24-all-rookie-team |title=NHL announces 2023-24 All-Rookie Team |website=NHL.com |date=June 27, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024}}</ref> |- ! colspan="4"|International |- | World U18 Championship Media All-Star Team | 2021 | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/765/IHM765000_98_1_0.pdf |title=Media All-Stars |date=May 6, 2021 |access-date=May 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230104175731/http://reports.iihf.hockey/Hydra/765/IHM765000_98_1_0.pdf |work=IIHF |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | World Junior Championship Best Forward | 2023 | <ref name=BestForward>{{cite web |url=https://www.iihf.com/pdf/751/ihm751000_85i_1_0 |title=Best players elected by the Directorate |date=January 5, 2023 |access-date=January 9, 2023 |archive-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106043516/https://www.iihf.com/pdf/751/ihm751000_85i_1_0 |work=IIHF |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | World Junior Championship Media All-Star Team | 2023 | <ref name=AllStar>{{cite web |url=https://www.iihf.com/pdf/751/ihm751000_98_1_0 |title=Media All Stars |date=January 5, 2023 |access-date=January 9, 2023 |archive-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106043515/https://www.iihf.com/pdf/751/ihm751000_98_1_0 |work=IIHF |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | World Junior Championship MVP | 2023 | <ref name=AllStar/> |- | IIHF Male Player of the Year | 2023 | <ref name=IIHF23>{{cite web |url=https://www.iihf.com/en/news/47473/bedard_named_iihf_male_player_of_the_year |title=Bedard named IIHF Male Player of the Year |last=Podnieks |first=Andrew |work=IIHF |date=June 19, 2023 |access-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619151503/https://www.iihf.com/en/news/47473/bedard_named_iihf_male_player_of_the_year |url-status=live }}</ref> |}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Ice hockey stats}} *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82l__I_lGz8&t=231s First career hat trick vs. Senators (October 28, 2025)]
{{s-start}} {{s-ach}} {{succession box | before = Juraj Slafkovský | title = NHL first-overall draft pick | years = 2023 | after = Macklin Celebrini}} {{succession box | before = Sam Rinzel | title = Chicago Blackhawks first-round draft pick | years = 2023 | after = Oliver Moore}} {{succession box | before = Matty Beniers | title = Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy | years = 2024 | after = Lane Hutson}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bedard, Connor}} Category:2005 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen Category:Calder Trophy winners Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Sweden Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States Category:Canadian Hockey League exceptional status players Category:Canadian ice hockey centres Category:Chicago Blackhawks draft picks Category:Chicago Blackhawks players Category:First overall NHL draft picks Category:Ice hockey people from North Vancouver Category:NHL first-round draft picks Category:Regina Pats players