The Next Generation: Connor Bedard

By Finn Konary

Some believe he may become the next Wayne Gretzky, while others doubt it, nevertheless, Connor Bedard is taking the hockey world by storm. Bedard, who is Canadian-raised and born, first played semi-professional hockey at 15 after being the first player to play in the Western Hockey League (WHL), a year early. At just 17 years old, Connor Bedard had 143 points in the WHL, the highest since Jarome Iginla, who had a 21-year playing career, in 1995. Connor Bedard put up these numbers in just 57 games, averaging just over two and a half points per game. Bedard’s junior playing career created hype not seen by a prospect since Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby. Just like Wembayana in the NBA, there were multiple rumors of teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes actively tanking for Bedard. Like the teams, the fans were hungry for the future star, cheering “Tank for Bedard” throughout stadiums around the country. Since at the end of the 2022-2023 NHL season, the Blackhawks had the third worst record in the NHL, they had the third-highest odds of receiving the first overall pick. But luckily for them, they received the first overall pick in the draft. Their pick was a no-brainer, as they selected Connor Bedard and signed him to a three-year contract on his 18th birthday.

Oct 11, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) skates with the puck past Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) during the third period at TD Garden.

Although the Blackhawks are a regressing team that recently let go of veterans who brought them two Stanley Cups in the early 2010s, Bedard may be the player they need to accelerate their rebuild. Other than Bedard, the Blackhawks had few positives last year other than a forward Taylor Raddysh, and a promising prospect Lukas Reichel along with a menacing defenseman, Seth Jones. Fortunately for Bedard, the Blackhawks signed multiple veterans with basically the sole purpose of mentoring him. The first was Taylor Hall, who won the MVP in the 2017 to 2018 season and has been around the league playing for teams like the Oilers, Devils, Bruins, and now the Blackhawks. The other veteran, Corey Perry spent the first 14 years of his career with the Anaheim Ducks where he won a Stanley Cup in 2007 and a MVP in 2011. Luckley for Bedard, Perry is nicknamed “Scorey Perry” for his goal-scoring ability, something he hopes to pass down to the youngster. Although the Blackhawks are not the ideal team, they have given Bedard an opportunity to make his mark in the NHL. In his first 10 games, he has 7 points, 5 goals and 2 assists. Even though Bedard is not putting up the same numbers as he did in the WHL, he has shown he can play and succeed in the NHL. Bedard will have to continue to prove his worth in the NHL, but he is set up for success, to lead the next generation of players in the NHL.