History of Connor Bedard in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 19, 2026

Connor Bedard is a generational Canadian ice hockey talent who became the face of his generation after being selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Before turning professional, he made history as the first player ever granted exceptional status to play in the Western Hockey League (WHL) at age 15. His prolific scoring ability and elite offensive instincts were further cemented by a record-breaking performance at the 2023 World Junior Championship, where he became Canada’s all-time leading scorer in the tournament. Upon entering the NHL, Bedard immediately demonstrated his skill, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie for the 2023–2024 season. Widely regarded as a transformative player, he is consistently analyzed for his unique release, high hockey IQ, and potential to redefine offensive standards in modern professional hockey.

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Full Timeline

1944: Historical Rookie Milestone

On this date in 1944, a record was set for the youngest rookie to record a four-point game, a mark that would eventually be surpassed by Connor Bedard on November 9.

1949: James Bedard begins NHL career with Chicago

In 1949, Connor Bedard's great-great uncle, James Bedard, began his NHL playing career as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

1951: Conclusion of James Bedard's NHL career

By 1951, James Bedard had completed his stint in the NHL, having played a total of 22 games for the Chicago franchise.

1995: WHL Scoring Benchmark Reference

In 1995, specifically the 1995-96 season, the Western Hockey League (WHL) established a scoring benchmark that Connor Bedard eventually surpassed during his own record-breaking season, marking the last time a player had reached 140 points before Bedard accomplished the feat.

2004: Alexander Ovechkin Draft Year

In 2004, Alexander Ovechkin was selected first overall in the NHL draft, a career milestone that served as a historical benchmark for comparisons to future prospects.

July 17, 2005: Birth of Connor Bedard

Connor Bedard was born on July 17, 2005, in Canada, marking the beginning of the life of the future professional ice hockey player.

2005: Sidney Crosby Draft Year

In 2005, Sidney Crosby was selected first overall in the NHL draft, establishing a legendary career standard often used by media to contextualize the talent of younger players like Bedard.

2007: Patrick Kane Selected First Overall by Chicago

In 2007, Patrick Kane became the first player in Chicago Blackhawks franchise history to be selected first overall in the NHL entry draft.

2011: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Selected First Overall

In 2011, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins became the first player born in British Columbia to be selected first overall in the NHL entry draft.

2016: Blackhawks Calder Trophy Win

In 2016, Artemi Panarin became the last Chicago Blackhawks player before Connor Bedard to receive the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year.

2018: Bedard named The Future of Hockey

In 2018, Connor Bedard gained national attention as a rising hockey prospect when he was featured in an article by The Hockey News titled The Future of Hockey.

March 2020: Granted Exceptional Player Status

In March 2020, Hockey Canada granted Connor Bedard exceptional player status, a rare honor that allowed him to enter the Canadian Hockey League a year earlier than normal; this decision made him the first player in history to receive this status for the Western Hockey League.

September 2020: Loaned to HV71 in Sweden

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic causing delays in the Western Hockey League, Connor Bedard was loaned to the HV71 junior hockey system in Sweden in September 2020 to maintain his development and continue playing.

2020: Selection in WHL Bantam Draft

In 2020, Connor Bedard was selected first overall by the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft, becoming the first player in league history to be granted exceptional player status.

March 2021: Return to WHL and Rookie Season

In March 2021, Bedard returned to play for the Regina Pats as the WHL resumed its 2020–21 season; despite a shortened schedule, he excelled as a rookie and earned the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy.

2021: Historic WHL Scoring Performance

During the 2021 WHL season, Connor Bedard became the youngest player to score 50 goals in a single season and the first 16-year-old in the 21st century to achieve a 100-point season, concluding the year with 51 goals and 49 assists.

2021: 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships

In 2021, Connor Bedard and Matvei Michkov faced off at the IIHF World U18 Championships, sparking media comparisons to the historic rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.

2021: 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship Gold

In 2021, Connor Bedard helped the Canadian national under-18 team secure a championship victory while competing internationally.

2022: Anticipation for the NHL Draft and the 'Bad for Bedard' Phenomenon

During the 2022 NHL season, Connor Bedard was widely regarded as a generational talent, leading multiple NHL teams to intentionally perform poorly to increase their chances in the draft lottery. This trend inspired the parody song 'Bad for Bedard' by The Sports Network and led to fan slogans centered on losing to acquire him. The Chicago Blackhawks ultimately won the draft lottery, resulting in a significant surge in season ticket sales.

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2022: 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship Gold

During the 2022 international tournament, Bedard contributed to the Canadian national junior team winning the championship.

2022: Connor Bedard's 2022-23 WHL Scoring Streak

During the 2022 season, Connor Bedard overcame a scoreless season opener to embark on a historic points streak, ultimately becoming the league's top scorer while driving significant attendance to Regina Pats road games.

2022: 2022 World Junior Championships

In 2022, Bedard participated in the initial edition of the World Junior Championships, which was eventually aborted, further fueling the career rivalry narrative.

2022: NHL Draft Profile Recognition

In 2022, Connor Bedard attended the NHL entry draft as an observer and received significant national attention when he was profiled by The New York Times as the most exciting future prospect in the league.

June 28, 2023: Chicago Blackhawks Select Connor Bedard First Overall

On June 28, 2023, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Connor Bedard as the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL entry draft, marking a significant milestone in his professional career.

2023: 2023 WHL Playoff Series against Saskatoon Blades

During the 2023 WHL playoffs, Connor Bedard led the Regina Pats in a series against the Saskatoon Blades. He recorded his first career playoff points in a Game 1 victory, eventually finishing the seven-game series with 10 goals and 10 assists before the Pats were eliminated in Game 7.

2023: WHL Trade Deadline Decision

During the 2023 WHL trade deadline, despite speculation that the Regina Pats might trade Connor Bedard to a contender for assets, general manager John Paddock confirmed that Bedard would remain with the team as he wished to finish his junior career in Regina.

2023: Elevated National Profile and WHL Attendance Surge

Following his performance at the 2023 World Junior Championships, Connor Bedard significantly increased his national profile, leading to record-breaking attendance figures for the Regina Pats during a January 2023 road trip through Alberta, including nearly 17,223 spectators at the Calgary Saddledome.

2023: 2023 World Junior Performance and Player of the Year

In 2023, Bedard won another championship with the Canadian national junior team, set multiple scoring records, was named tournament MVP, and became the first-ever winner of the IIHF Male Player of the Year award.

2023: 2023 NHL Entry Draft expectations

In 2023, Connor Bedard became the presumptive favorite to be selected first overall in the NHL entry draft following external factors involving his top competitor, Matvei Michkov.

2023: NHL Entry Draft Selection and Debut

In 2023, Connor Bedard was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL entry draft and subsequently made his professional debut in the National Hockey League.

January 4, 2024: All-Star Game Selection

On January 4, 2024, Connor Bedard was selected to represent the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2024 National Hockey League All-Star Game, positioning him to become the youngest All-Star in league history.

2024: Sophomore Season Performance

During the 2024-25 season, Connor Bedard completed his sophomore year by playing in all 82 games, recording a total of 23 goals and 44 assists for 67 points.