Connor Bedard
Born 2005 · Age 20
Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Chicago Blackhawks. Considered one of the greatest prospects of his generation; 1st overall pick in 2023 NHL Entry Draft and 2024 Calder Trophy winner.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in North Vancouver, British Columbia
Connor Bedard born to Tom and Melanie Bedard in North Vancouver, BC. Great-great-uncle James Bedard played 22 NHL games for Chicago (1949–1951).
Began playing hockey
Started playing hockey at around age 4–5 (family and local youth hockey).
Wrist injury and intense left-hand training
Suffered a broken wrist crashing into the boards; instructed not to use right arm for 12 weeks and trained using only his left hand — credited with improving his stickhandling and shooting.
Played for West Vancouver Academy (CSSHL) U15
Played with West Vancouver Academy Prep program U15; led league in goals and points and was named league MVP (CSSHL U15 season 2018–19).
Featured as 'The Future of Hockey' by The Hockey News
At age 13 was profiled and dubbed 'the future of hockey' in The Hockey News, elevating national attention.
Played for West Van Academy U18 (CSSHL) and MVP
Tallying high totals across the CSSHL U18 season (combined U15/U18 totals cited: 176 points and 107 goals in 66 games across 2018–20); named CSSHL U18 MVP.
Granted WHL exceptional player status
Hockey Canada granted Bedard exceptional player status (first-ever for WHL) allowing him to play major junior early.
Signed with Regina Pats (press release)
Regina Pats announced signing their 2020 first-overall bantam draft pick (press release dated Apr 21, 2020).
Selected 1st overall in WHL Bantam Draft
Regina Pats selected Bedard first overall in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft — the first WHL player with exceptional status.
Loaned to HV71 junior system in Sweden
Loaned to HV71's junior program so he could play while WHL season delayed by COVID-19; remained there until WHL returned March 2021.
Rookie WHL season — 28 points in 15 games
In shortened 2020–21 WHL season: 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points in 15 games before leaving for 2021 IIHF U18 tournament.
Returned to Regina Pats for WHL 2020–21 season restart
Returned from HV71 to play for the Regina Pats when the WHL relaunched in March 2021.
IIHF U18 World Championship — Gold medal and media all-star
Played for Canada U18 at 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships (Frisco, Texas), won gold, tied for second in tournament points, named to media all-star team.
Won Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (WHL Rookie of the Year)
Awarded the WHL's rookie of the year following shortened rookie season.
Named to Canada's 2022 World Junior team at 16
Selected as one of the youngest players for Canada's World Junior Championship roster (initial 2022 tournament).
Four-goal game vs Austria at World Juniors
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 World Juniors; tournament was later cancelled (Dec 29).
2021–22 WHL season — 51 goals, 100 points
Became the youngest player to score 50+ goals in a WHL season; finished 2021–22 with 51 goals and 49 assists for 100 points in 62 games.
Named to Canada for 2022 IIHF U18 Championship (returning player)
Announced as the only returning player from Canada's previous U18 team for the 2022 tournament.
Hat trick vs Germany at 2022 U18 Worlds; broke Canada U18 records
Scored a hat trick in a second-game 8–3 win over Germany, breaking Shane Wright's Canada goal-scoring record at U18s and Mathew Barzal's points record for Canada at U18s.
World Junior Championships (Aug 2022) — Gold medal with Canada
Played in the rebooted 2022 World Juniors (summer), posted 4 goals and 4 assists across seven games and won gold with Canada.
Recorded back-to-back 20-game point streaks
Became first WHL player in a decade to record twenty-game point streaks in consecutive seasons (20-game streak noted on Nov 17, 2022).
WHL attendance and 'Bedard Bump' phenomenon
Bedard's presence created large attendance spikes at WHL arenas (e.g., >5,000 at return to Greater Vancouver; near-record 17,223 at Calgary Saddledome), boosting ticket sales and attention.
2022–23 WHL regular season — 143 points (71G, 72A)
Finished the 2022–23 WHL season with 71 goals and 72 assists for 143 points in 57 games; led the CHL in scoring.
Set Canadian single-tournament World Junior points record (23)
At the 2023 World Juniors, set new Canadian single-tournament points record with 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists) in 7 games and won gold.
Returned to Pats lineup with 4 goals, 2 assists vs Calgary
After missing 11 games for World Juniors, resumed play Jan 8, 2023 and recorded a 4-goal, 2-assist performance in a 6–2 win over the Calgary Hitmen.
Won Bob Clarke Trophy (WHL scoring champion)
Awarded the Bob Clarke Trophy as WHL's leading scorer for 2022–23 season.
Recorded first WHL playoff points — 2 goals + assist in series opener
Scored two goals and an assist in a 6–1 Regina victory in Game 1 of first-round playoff vs Saskatoon Blades (Apr 1, 2023).
WHL playoff elimination — Pats lose Game 7
Regina Pats eliminated by Saskatoon Blades in Game 7 (Apr 10–11, 2023); Bedard recorded 10 goals and 10 assists in the series; marked end of his WHL/junior career.
Blackhawks win 2023 NHL Draft Lottery
Chicago Blackhawks won the NHL draft lottery (May 8, 2023) and shortly after sold $2.5M of season-ticket packages reportedly within 90 minutes — demonstrating Bedard's commercial draw.
Won Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL Player of the Year)
Named WHL Player of the Year for 2022–23 season — the first draft-eligible player to be named league MVP since Sam Reinhart.
Won multiple CHL awards (Top Scorer, Top Draft Prospect, Player of the Year)
At the CHL Awards Bedard became the first to win Top Scorer, Top Draft Prospect and CHL Player of the Year in a single season.
Inaugural IIHF Male Player of the Year
Named the first-ever IIHF Male Player of the Year for performances in 2023 (WHL/World Juniors/CHL achievements noted).
Awarded E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence
Received the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence ahead of the draft for character, competitiveness and athleticism.
Selected 1st overall in 2023 NHL Entry Draft by Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago selected Bedard first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft — the second No.1 pick in franchise history.
First Blackhawks media press conference
Addressed media for the first time as a Blackhawk at the team's draft class introductory press conference.
Signed three-year entry-level contract with Chicago Blackhawks
Signed standard three-year entry-level NHL contract with Chicago Blackhawks on his 18th birthday (July 17, 2023). EliteProspects lists a cap hit of $950,000.
Hat trick at Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase
Scored a hat trick in the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase vs St. Louis Blues prospects (Sept 16, 2023).
Preseason debut — two assists (United Center)
Notched two assists in his NHL preseason debut, drawing attention for skillful play at the United Center.
Scored first preseason goal (empty-netter)
Recorded his first preseason goal (empty-net) against the Detroit Red Wings (Oct 3, 2023).
NHL debut with Chicago Blackhawks
Made NHL debut Oct 10, 2023 vs Pittsburgh Penguins and recorded his first NHL point (an assist) in a 4–2 win.
Scored first NHL goal
Scored his first NHL goal on Oct 11, 2023 in a 3–1 loss to the Boston Bruins.
Four-point game vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Tallied 2 goals and 2 assists in a 5–3 win (Nov 9, 2023), becoming third-youngest player in NHL history with a four-point game and youngest rookie since 1944 to do so.
Named to 2024 NHL All-Star Game roster
Selected to represent the Blackhawks at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game (would have been youngest All-Star in NHL history).
Sustained broken jaw; placed on injured reserve
Suffered a broken jaw after a check (Brendan Smith) and underwent surgery; placed on IR with estimated 6–8 weeks recovery (Jan 5–10 reporting).
Made cameo in NHL All-Star skills competition
Appeared in the 'One-Timers' skills competition as a puck passer for All-Star participants despite missing the game roster due to injury.
Returned from injury; recorded an assist
Returned to Blackhawks lineup on Feb 15, 2024 and registered an assist in a 4–1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Career-high five-point NHL game
Recorded 1 goal and 4 assists (5 points) to lead Chicago to a 7–2 win over Anaheim Ducks (Mar 12, 2024).
Named Calder Trophy finalist
Named as one of the finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year for the 2023–24 season.
Finished 2024 World Championship with 8 points in 10 games
Opened tournament with 5 goals and 1 assist in first three games but was later relegated to 13th forward due to reduced production; finished with 8 points in 10 games.
Named to Canada's roster for 2024 IIHF World Championship
Accepted invitation to debut with Canada's senior national team at the 2024 IIHF World Championship after the Blackhawks missed playoffs.
First senior international goal (World Championship)
Scored his first senior international goal for Canada vs Great Britain in a 4–2 victory at the 2024 IIHF World Championship (May 11, 2024).
Named to NHL All-Rookie Team
Selected to the NHL's 2023–24 All-Rookie Team.
Won Calder Memorial Trophy (NHL Rookie of the Year)
Recipient of the Calder Trophy for the 2023–24 NHL season after leading all rookies with 61 points in 68 games.
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