The time finally arrived as the Chicago Blackhawks signed No. 1 pick Connor Bedard to a three-year entry-level contract on his birthday.
Connor BedardIt was only a matter of time, but Connor Bedard has now turned 18 years old and signed his entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago announced the three-year deal with a $950,000 cap hit on Monday morning. Bedard had his family with him at the team's practice facility to celebrate the occasion, with his dad, Tom signing as a witness. It's just the latest milestone in his young hockey career.
Bedard was the first player off the board in the 2023 NHL draft in Nashville, and it was hardly in doubt for more than a year. He was also the 11th-youngest player drafted this year, with a July 17, 2005, birthday.
When he starred at the 2023 world juniors by setting Canadian records for most points and assists in a tournament, as well as career world junior records for points and goals by a Canadian, he was still 17 and had to wear a full face shield. And as Bedard had the most points in the WHL this past season with 143, he beat 21-year-old Chase Wheatcroft, who finished second with 107 points.
The Regina Pats captain also earned the David Branch Player of the Year Award as the CHL's most outstanding player at 17 years old. He is three years younger than the OHL representative and runner-up, Matthew Maggio, and one year younger than the QMJHL's top player, Jordan Dumais.
Bedard has found a way throughout his time in hockey to stand above the competition as one of the youngest players on the ice. If all goes to plan, he will get that opportunity again this upcoming season for Chicago in his rookie NHL campaign.
The Blackhawks acquired some veterans during this off-season to either take some of the pressure off Bedard to perform or provide some mentorship, including Taylor Hall, Corey Perry and Nick Foligno. Time will tell if all the new additions will be enough to improve on their 30th-ranked finish in the standings.