History of Connor Bedard in Timeline

Connor Bedard is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL. Widely regarded as an exceptional talent, he was the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Bedard made his NHL debut in 2023 and subsequently won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's rookie of the year in 2024, solidifying his status as a rising star in professional hockey.

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Full Timeline

1944: Youngest rookie to record a four-point game since 1944

On November 9, 2023, Bedard tallied two goals and two assists in a 5–3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the third-youngest player in NHL history to record a four-point game, the youngest rookie to do so since 1944.

1949: Great-great uncle played for Chicago

In 1949, James Bedard, Connor Bedard's great-great uncle, began playing for Chicago in the NHL.

1951: Great-great uncle played for Chicago

In 1951, James Bedard, Connor Bedard's great-great uncle, ended his time playing for Chicago in the NHL.

1995: Last time a WHL player had a 140-point season

Connor Bedard finished the regular season with 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games, winning the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL's leading scoring. His 143 points also led the CHL in scoring for the year, and he was the first WHL player to have a 140-point season since 1995–96.

2004: Compared to Alexander Ovechkin

Conversation about the 2023 NHL Entry Draft involved a debate of Connor Bedard's merits versus those of Russian winger Matvei Michkov, with suggestions of a career rivalry comparable to that between Russian 2004 first overall pick Alexander Ovechkin.

2005: Compared to Sidney Crosby

2007: Patrick Kane selected first overall

On June 28, 2023, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Bedard first overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. It was the second Blackhawks' first overall selection in team history, after Patrick Kane in 2007.

2011: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins selected first overall

On June 28, 2023, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Bedard first overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He was also the second player born in British Columbia selected first overall, after Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2011.

2016: Recipient of Calder Memorial Trophy

Connor Bedard finished the season with 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games, leading all NHL rookies, and was the recipient of the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, becoming the first Blackhawks player since Artemi Panarin in 2016 to receive the award.

2018: Named "The Future of Hockey"

In 2018, Connor Bedard emerged as a young hockey prospect and was named "The Future of Hockey" in an article by The Hockey News.

March 2020: Granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada

In March 2020, Connor Bedard was granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada, allowing him to enter the major junior-level Canadian Hockey League a year early. In the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, Bedard was selected first overall by the Regina Pats.

September 2020: Loaned to HV71 junior hockey system in Sweden

In September 2020, Connor Bedard was loaned to the HV71 junior hockey system in Sweden due to delays in the WHL season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Selected by Regina Pats in WHL Bantam Draft

In 2020, Connor Bedard was selected first overall by the Regina Pats in the WHL Bantam Draft as the first WHL player of exceptional player status and won the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie player.

March 2021: Returned to WHL and awarded Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy

In March 2021, Connor Bedard returned to the WHL for its 2020-21 season and played a shortened rookie season due to the pandemic, scoring 12 goals and 16 assists in 15 games before leaving for the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships. He was awarded the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as the WHL's rookie of the year.

May 2021: Played in 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships

In May 2021, Connor Bedard played for the Canadian under-18 team at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships in Frisco, Texas, winning a gold medal, tying for second in the tournament in points, and earning a spot on the media all-star team.

December 12, 2021: Selected by Canada for World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

On December 12, 2021, Connor Bedard became the seventh 16-year-old to be selected by Canada for the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He broke Wayne Gretzky's record for most goals by a 16-year-old at the championships.

2021: Scored 50 goals in WHL season

During the 2021–22 WHL season, Bedard became the youngest player to score 50 or more goals in a season.

2021: Dueling appearances on national teams

Following their dueling appearances on their respective countries' national teams at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships and the abortive initial edition of the 2022 World Junior Championships, many in the media suggested a career rivalry between Bedard and Michkov.

2021: Won championship with Canadian national under-18 team

In 2021, Connor Bedard won a championship with the Canadian national under-18 team, marking an international achievement early in his career.

April 18, 2022: Named to Canadian team for 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships

On April 18, 2022, Connor Bedard was selected for the Canadian team to participate in the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships. He was the only returning player from the previous year's championship team.

August 2022: World Junior Ice Hockey Championships reboot

In August 2022, the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was rebooted after the tournament was cancelled on December 29, 2021 due to concerns about COVID-19.

December 12, 2022: Named to Canadian National Team for 2023 World Junior Championships

On December 12, 2022, Connor Bedard was named to the Canadian national team for the 2023 World Junior Championships.

2022: Teams tanking for Bedard

Entering his draft year, much of the debate around Bedard concerned whether he warranted being considered a "generational" talent. A number of NHL teams were said to be openly tanking the 2022–23 season in the hopes of obtaining favourable odds in the draft lottery.

2022: Dueling appearances on national teams

2022: Profiled by The New York Times

In 2022, Connor Bedard was profiled in The New York Times as "the most exciting future NHL player attending this week’s draft."

2022: Won championship with Canadian national junior team

In 2022, Connor Bedard won a championship with the Canadian national junior team, adding another international title to his achievements.

2022: Began lengthy points streak

In 2022, after not recording a point in his opening game of the 2022–23 season, Connor Bedard embarked on a lengthy points streak that made him the league's top scorer. On November 17, he became the first WHL player in a decade to record twenty-game point streaks in consecutive seasons.

June 28, 2023: Selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks

On June 28, 2023, Connor Bedard was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, marking a significant milestone in his career.

2023: Elevated national profile

Following his return from the 2023 World Junior Championships, Connor Bedard's national profile significantly increased, leading to record attendance at games during a January road trip in Alberta. The Lethbridge Hurricanes even offered standing-room only at the Enmax Centre.

2023: End of 2023-24 NHL season

Following the end of the 2023-24 NHL season, Connor Bedard accepted an invitation to make his debut with the senior national team at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.

2023: Selected first overall in NHL entry draft

In 2023, Connor Bedard was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL entry draft, marking his entry into the National Hockey League.

2023: Wins gold at World Junior Championships

In 2023, Connor Bedard won gold with Canada at the World Junior Championships, recording nine goals and fourteen assists over seven games. He was named the championship's best forward and most valuable player by the IIHF directorate, and was named to the media all-star team. He was also the inaugural recipient of the IIHF Male Player of the Year award.

2023: Won championship with Canadian national junior team

In 2023, Connor Bedard's performance at the tournament set national and international points records, leading to him being named the event's MVP and winning a championship with the Canadian national junior team. He was also the inaugural recipient of the IIHF Male Player of the Year award.

2023: Discussion about potential trade

In 2023, ahead of the WHL trade deadline, there was media discussion about whether the Regina Pats should trade Connor Bedard to a contending team. However, Pats general manager John Paddock stated that he would not trade Bedard, as Bedard wanted to stay with the Regina Pats.

2023: WHL playoffs and elimination

In 2023, the Regina Pats qualified for the WHL playoffs and played against the Saskatoon Blades. Despite Bedard's performance with 10 goals and 10 assists in the series, the Pats were eventually eliminated in Game 7, marking the expected end of his WHL and junior career.

2023: NHL Entry Draft speculation

In advance of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, there was considerable interest in Connor Bedard, accelerated by his exceptional status in the WHL. There was debate about his merits versus those of Matvei Michkov, but ultimately, it was widely presumed that Bedard would be picked first overall due to Michkov's contract extension and geopolitical uncertainties.

January 4, 2024: Selected to represent Blackhawks at NHL All-Star Game

On January 4, 2024, Connor Bedard was selected to represent the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2024 National Hockey League All-Star Game. He would have been the youngest All-Star in NHL history, but was injured the following day.