Connor Bedard Bio
Connor Bedard is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a centre for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on July 17, 2005, Bedard is regarded as one of the top ice hockey prospects of his generation. He was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL entry draft and made his NHL debut the same year. In 2024, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year.
Early Life and Background
Connor Bedard was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to parents Tom and Melanie Bedard. He grew up with his sister Madi in a family with a hockey lineage; his great-great uncle James Bedard played 22 NHL games for Chicago between 1949 and 1951. Bedard developed an early passion for hockey, playing minor hockey with West Vancouver Academy Prep in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. During his time with the U15 and U18 teams, he led the league in goals and points and was named most valuable player both years. Bedard grew up a fan of the Vancouver Canucks and admired Sidney Crosby as his childhood idol.
Path to Hockey
Bedard’s exceptional talent was recognized early, and in 2018 he was named “The Future of Hockey” by The Hockey News. He was granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada in 2020, allowing him to enter the Western Hockey League (WHL) a year early. That same year, he was selected first overall by the Regina Pats in the WHL Bantam Draft, becoming the first WHL player to receive exceptional status. Bedard’s early achievements in the WHL set the stage for his rapid rise in junior hockey and his transition to professional play.
Connor Bedard Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
Bedard began his major junior career with the Regina Pats in 2020. His rookie season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still managed to score 12 goals and 16 assists in 15 games, earning the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s top rookie. In the 2021–22 season, Bedard became the youngest player in WHL history to score 50 or more goals in a season, finishing with 51 goals and 49 assists. Despite his scoring prowess, the Pats narrowly missed the playoffs that year. Bedard’s performance attracted significant media attention, and he was widely regarded as the most exciting future NHL player attending the 2022 NHL Entry Draft as an observer.
In the 2022–23 season, Bedard continued to dominate, leading the WHL in scoring with 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games. He won the Bob Clarke Trophy as the league’s leading scorer and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s most valuable player. Bedard also earned the Canadian Hockey League’s Top Scorer and Player of the Year honors. The Regina Pats qualified for the 2023 WHL playoffs, where Bedard recorded 10 goals and 10 assists, marking the end of his junior career.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2023–Present)
Connor Bedard was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the second first overall pick in franchise history. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on his 18th birthday. Bedard made an immediate impact in the NHL, recording his first point in his debut game and scoring his first goal the following night. He became the youngest rookie to record a four-point game since 1944 and set franchise records for multi-goal games by a rookie.
In January 2024, Bedard was selected for the NHL All-Star Game but was sidelined due to a broken jaw sustained in a game. He returned to play in February and continued to impress, achieving a career-high five points in a single game in March. Bedard finished his rookie season with 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games, leading all NHL rookies and earning the Calder Memorial Trophy. In the 2024–25 season, he recorded 23 goals and 44 assists in 82 games. Bedard started the 2025–26 season strong, including a four-point game in November 2025, becoming the first player since Steven Stamkos to have four or more four-point games before age 21.
Driving Style and Strengths
Connor Bedard is known for his exceptional scoring ability, vision on the ice, and playmaking skills. His agility and hockey sense allow him to excel in both goal-scoring and assisting teammates. Bedard’s competitive nature and strong work ethic contribute to his rapid development and success at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bedard’s career milestones include being the first WHL player granted exceptional status, winning the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, setting scoring records in international junior tournaments, and winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 2024. His debut NHL games were among the most-watched regular-season hockey games on ESPN and TNT.
Connor Bedard Career Wins
Throughout his junior and professional career, Connor Bedard has accumulated numerous individual accolades and team successes. His scoring titles and MVP awards in the WHL and CHL highlight his dominance at the junior level. In the NHL, his rookie season achievements and Calder Trophy win underscore his impact as a rising star.
WHL Highlights
Bedard won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as WHL rookie of the year in 2021. He led the league in scoring in the 2022–23 season with 143 points, earning the Bob Clarke Trophy. He was also named the WHL’s most valuable player with the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy and received the CHL Top Scorer and Player of the Year awards.
Other Wins & Performances
Internationally, Bedard won gold medals with Canada’s under-18 team in 2021 and the national junior team in 2022 and 2023. He set national and international points records at the 2023 World Junior Championships and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Bedard was the inaugural recipient of the IIHF Male Player of the Year award.
Connor Bedard Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Connor Bedard comes from a family with a hockey background. His father is Tom Bedard and his mother is Melanie Bedard. His great-great uncle, James Bedard, played in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawks in the late 1940s and early 1950s, linking Connor to a legacy within the same franchise he now represents.
Personal Life
Details about Bedard’s personal life, including relationships or children, are not publicly available. He maintains a professional focus on his hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
In the 2025–26 NHL season, Connor Bedard continued to build on his early success with the Chicago Blackhawks. He started the season strongly, recording multiple four-point games and demonstrating his ability to influence games offensively. His performance has positioned him as a key player for the Blackhawks’ future, with expectations for continued growth and leadership. Bedard’s development under the team’s coaching staff and his chemistry with teammates contribute to his rising status in the league.