The 18-year-old Chicago phenom had five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 15 games to win honor for second straight month.
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, who led all rookies with 10 assists and 15 points in 15 games, was named the NHL’s “Rookie of the Month” for December.
The 18-year-old Bedard paces all first-year players in goals (15) and points (33) entering Tuesday night's games. The NHL's top draft pick of 2023 also was rookie of the month in November and became the first player to win the honor in back-to-back months since St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington did it in February and March 2019.
Bedard beat Binnington with a celebrated lacrosse-style or "Michigan" goal in St. Louis on Dec. 23. A right-handed shooter, Bedard scooped up the puck on the backhand side of the blade of his Sherwood Rekker stick behind the net, then popped it in over Binnington's left shoulder as he skated around. See video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdIBQUk25bU
Bedard had points in 11 of 15 games in December. Statistically, he was a factor on 15 of last-place Chicago's 33 goals in the month (45.5 %).
His biggest night was on Dec. 27 in a 2-1 overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets in a sold-out United Center. Bedard scored both goals with his family in the stands.
The North Vancouver, British Columbia native drove to the net and whacked in a rebound of his one-timer in the first period. In overtime, he beat Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck under the glove on a just-tricky-enough wrister from the slot.
Bedard edged Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli for rookie of the month in December. Fantilli, taken third in the 2023 draft, had seven goals and 13 points in 14 games.
Other rookies in the running included Minnesota center Marco Rossi (five goals, 10 points in 14 games), Carolina goalie Pyotr Kochetkov (6-3-2 record with a 2.36 goals-against average and .915 save percentage), Philadelphia goalie Samuel Ersson (5-2-1, 2.30 GAA and .919%) and Buffalo netminder Devon Levi (4-2-1, 2.95 GAA and .900%).
The Blackhawks and Bedard play the Predators in Nashville on Tuesday night.