Bedard named Blackhawks captain, second-youngest in history of storied franchise

CHICAGO -- Connor Bedard played it cool last season when asked about potentially being named captain of the Chicago Blackhawks.

And as the 21-year-old center sat on the dais at United Center on Tuesday, the news of him officially getting the role still hadn’t hit him.

“When I got told, it was a pretty surreal moment," Bedard said. "That’s something you think maybe there’s a chance and once it’s actually told (to you) and now to put the jersey on and see it, it’s special. It’s hard to put it into words.

"Just having the trust from people, you care about their opinion and how they value you, it’s special.”

It’s quite an honor for Bedard, who became the second-youngest captain in Blackhawks history, behind Jonathan Toews (20 years, 79 days).

But when he plays his first game wearing the "C" is unclear. 

Bedard is expected to be out until November after having surgery on his left shoulder for an injury he sustained during an offseason training session in Vancouver on July 2. He has been skating and taking some shots during informal sessions at Chicago's practice facility.

“I’m on the ice doing kind of mostly everything, just working at it a bit more each day. Timeline-wise, I don’t really know (when I’ll return),” he said. “We’ll see as it progresses, but I’m feeling good and just kind of doing everything I can to get back as soon as possible.”

Without Bedard, who led the Blackhawks in scoring last season with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 69 games, they will have a big hill to climb early. 

And though it will be hard for their newest captain to not be on the ice, he will still be there leading the way. 

“It’s obviously going to be tough not playing the first bit, but getting to watch and we’re together so much away from the rink that you don’t feel like you’re isolated or anything,” Bedard said. “You feel you’re still part of the team every day. That’s the biggest thing. When you’re hurt and not around the guys, you miss being a part of that. I don’t think it’ll feel like that at all. We’re going have a great start without me and I can’t wait to join, whenever that is.”

Bedard replaces Nick Foligno, who was captain from Sept. 18, 2024 until March 6, 2026, when he was traded to the Minnesota Wild.

Bedard said he took a lot from the veteran forward regarding leadership. He still asks Foligno for advice. 

“He called me last night and he was helping me pick out my suit a little bit. Just little stuff like that,” Bedard said with a laugh. “It’s cool to have that and share that with him.”

Bedard joins a list of captains that includes some all-time Blackhawks, including Toews, a three-time Stanley Cup champion (2010, 2013, 2015) who was captain from 2008-23.

Patrick Kane, who along with fellow forward Tyler Bertuzzi was named an alternate captain, was one of the faces of the franchise with Toews from 2007-23.

He left Chicago near the end of the 2022-23 season, just a few months before the Blackhawks made Bedard the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. After playing the past three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Kane returned this offseason, signing a two-year contract with Chicago on July 25. 

He said he sees some Toews-like qualities in Bedard. 

“I feel teammates and people and players on the team gravitate toward that player. They gravitated toward Toews and I see it now with Connor,” Kane said. “They gravitate toward him, want to hang out with him, want to talk to him, want to be around him. I think just from being around the group a little bit here it’s a great decision.

“It’s been a really fun group to be around and (a lot of) high-fives, good vibes around everyone. He’s the leader of that, right? He leads the charge, so I think it makes sense in a lot of ways. Kind of a no-brainer in a way."

In addition to Toews, the impressive list of former Blackhawks captains includes Chicago native Chris Chelios, who was captain from 1995-99 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013. There's also Denis Savard, who was captain from 1988-89 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. 

Stan Mikita, the franchise's all-time leader in goals (541), assists (926), points (1,467) and games played (1,396) was captain from 1975-77, won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 1961 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. Pierre Pilote, who was also part of the 1961 Cup team, was captain from 1961-67 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

Chelios, Savard, Mikita and Toews -- along with Kane – were all named to the list of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players during the League’s Centennial celebration in 2017. 

The numbers of Chelios, Savard, Mikita and Pilote have been retired by the Blackhawks.

Chelios attended the press conference on Tuesday. 

Bedard won the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the League’s best rookie, in 2023-24 and has 203 points (75 goals, 128 assists) in 219 games over his first three seasons. 

Chicago, which opens training camp on Thursday, has not qualified for the playoffs since the 2019-20 season. The lack of postseason success has frustrated Bedard and he said it’s time for that to change.

Now. 

“This city and fan base is used to winning and we want to bring that back," Bedard said. "Last year, you look at where we were until probably the Olympic break, we were in that spot and we kind of let that slip away from us, which is frustrating. Just seeing us be able to be in that and the additions we made this summer, I think we have a really good team, and that’s exciting. We’re just going to make each other better every day and we expect to win.

"We’re not expecting to finish where we have the last couple of years. If we do, it is a disappointment.”