Connor Bedard named 37th Blackhawks captain in team history

CHICAGO — In the United Center's atrium, star center Connor Bedard entered the stage with Chicago Blackhawks CEO and Chairman Danny Wirtz, general manager Kyle Davidson and coach Jeff Blashill. The quartet posed in front of the camera with Bedard's new jersey.

The number's still 98, and there's still a patch near the shoulder. This time, the letter is a little more significant.

"The 'C' on someone is not something we take for granted at all, but Connor's someone we feel is uniquely qualified to wear the 'C,' " Davidson said. "He's someone who's occupied a unique and rare position in his hockey career, even before his time in Chicago.

"He's a natural-born leader, someone we're consistently impressed by (with his) commitment to winning on the ice and high standards. He loves the game, loves the city, wants to be leader of the group and we know he'll continue to strive to raise the bar."

The Chicago Blackhawks formally announced at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon that the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL draft will be the team's 37th captain.

"Being named captain of the Blackhawks is an unbelievable honor and something I'm truly humbled by. The captains who have come before me have left an incredible legacy," Bedard said in a statement. "To now have the opportunity to carry that tradition forward is something I don't take lightly. I'm grateful to the organization and my teammates for putting their trust in me to lead this team. We're building something really special here, and I'm committed to making the entire Blackhawks organization and our fans proud."

With the "C" patch bestowed, the 21-year-old becomes the NHL's youngest captain. He trails only Jonathan Toews in the Hawks' record books, as the retired franchise legend was named captain at 20 years and 79 days old.

"One of the biggest honors in my life, and for a storied franchise like this to be named captain and follow in the footsteps of (Nick) Foligno, (Chris Chelios), Toews, you can go down the list," Bedard said on Tuesday. "I hope we can really do some great things here in the next little while."

Toews led the Hawks as team captain for 14 seasons, winning three Stanley Cups along the way. To this day, it remains the longest "C" patch tenure in franchise history.

Bedard is expected to hold the patch for a long time. It's an honor and a responsibility, and the 21-year-old will be patient with himself as time moves on.

"Every new experience is something you have to learn, (but) I feel ready," Bedard said. "The last three years, you grow a lot and become more used to the day-to-day life and your teammates and just how close our group is, (that) really helps.

"It's really a family and everyone can talk to each other and give each other advice, whatever you need. That part makes it easy for us. I'm excited to ask other guys' questions and be led by them as well."

Bedard isn't expected to make his season debut until November after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery in July.

But Tuesday's announcement confirms the widely anticipated move for Bedard, who was presumed captain ever since Foligno was traded to the Minnesota Wild last season. Bedard never claimed the title for himself, but noted that he would be grateful for the recognition.

"If I did get the 'C', I'm not going to change who I am and become something different just because of that letter," Bedard said in April. "It's an added responsibility that I do think I'd be ready for — a lot of guys could be ready for it in that room — but it would be a special honor."

The forward had a brief experience with the alternate captain's patch last season on Nov. 19 against the Calgary Flames . With Foligno and Jason Dickinson on injury reserve, Bedard scored his second career hat trick to lift the Hawks to a 5-2 win.

"I've been so fortunate to learn from guys like (Foligno), (Dickinson), ( Connor Murphy ) — all those guys that have been leaders in our room," Bedard said then. "The Blackhawks jersey in general is such a special thing. There have been a lot of great players who have a letter on their chest, and it's a great honor and something I don't take lightly."

On March 3, Hawks coach Jeff Blashill — who is now entering his second season — awarded Bedard with the "A" for the remainder of the season.

"I had given it to him earlier in the year when we had injury issues," Blashill said. "I think he's earned it with his commitment to winning hockey."

Bedard signed a five-year, $75 million contract in July, and stated later that he dismissed offer sheets from other teams.

"For me, I kind of let them know from the start that it wasn't something I was ever going to do," Bedard said on the Overdrive podcast on July 24. "The risk of not being a Blackhawk wasn't worth any amount of money."

Now, when he returns, he will lead a new-look Hawks team in hopes of a playoff berth. New additions include forwards Patrick Kane and Cole Smith , and defensemen Bowen Byram and Ian Cole .

Oliver Moore , Tyler Bertuzzi and Kane were front row for Bedard's captaincy announcement. After poking fun at the 37-year-old, Bedard gushed at the chance to take the ice with Kane.

"When we talk about leadership, everything we dream of and want to accomplish as a team, we watched him," Bedard said of Kane. "He's still one of the best players in the league and that's just going to add so much."

Blashill also announced that Bertuzzi and Kane will round out the leadership group as the alternate captains.

"It's a fun group, a happy group, there's good vibes and these guys want to be good players," Kane said. "It's pushing me in a way, too — you're 37, turning 38, and accomplish some great things, but it still feels like there's a lot left on the table and a lot more you want to accomplish because these guys haven't done it and they're pushing to do it."