NHL rookie scoring leader and top 2023 draft pick in sponsorship with Canada's fifth- largest bank
The rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks are banking on Connor Bedard to help make them competitive again.
On Monday, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) announced it's banking on Bedard, the NHL's rookie scoring leader, to boost its profile.
In a news release, Toronto-based CIBC said it is teaming up with the NHL's 2023 top draft pick as "an ambassador and spokesperson." With $975.5 CDN billion in assets, CIBC is ranked as Canada's fifth-largest bank.
"Connor is a longtime CIBC client, and this partnership is a proud next step that will allow him to focus on his career ambitions while our CIBC team supports him in realizing his goals off the ice," the release said.
The 18-year-old Bedard has a three-year entry level contract and a full-range of bonuses that bring his current NHL salary to $4.45 million. That's the maximum for a rookie.
Bedard, from North Vancouver, British Columbia, has a wide range of corporate sponsorships/partnerships, negotiated by Newport Sports Management of Mississauga, Ontario. See our story: https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/features/corporate-connor-from-cards-to-cars-bedard-already-has-list-of-sponsorships.
In the release, Bedard said. "My family are long-time clients of CIBC, they are the first and only bank I've used since growing up in Vancouver. As our family's bank, CIBC has always been there behind the scenes to support my early ambitions in hockey, and my move to Chicago.
"As I grow my career, I'm excited to take this next step as an ambassador for the bank that's been there for me throughout my journey so far."
CIBC claims 14 million personal, business and institutional clients and 48,000 employees.