There's a new Captain Connor in the NHL.
The Chicago Blackhawks are handing Connor Bedard the'C,' the team announced on Tuesday.
Bedard, of North Vancouver, B.C., is entering his fourth season in the NHL. He signed a $75-million contract extension that locks him into Chicago through the 2030-31 season earlier this off-season.
"Being named captain of the Blackhawks is an unbelievable honour and something I'm truly humbled by," Bedard said in a statement.
"The captains who have come before me have left an incredible legacy. To now have the opportunity to carry that tradition forward is something I don't take lightly.
I'm grateful to the organization and my teammates for putting their trust in me to lead this team. We're building something really special here, and I'm committed to making the entire Blackhawks organization and our fans proud.
The first overall pick in 2023, Bedard has lived up to the billing through three seasons and 219 games, scoring 75 goals and adding 128 assists.
Bedard, 21, registered a career-high 30 markers and 75 points last season in just 69 games.
His 203 career points easily lead his draft class ahead of second-place Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks, who's at 141 through 201 games.
Bedard will be the 37th captain in Blackhawks history, succeeding Nick Foligno, who wore the'C' for a season-and-a-half before being dealt to the Minnesota Wild in March.
Prior to Foligno, Blackhawks legend Jonathan Toews held the captaincy from 2008 until 2023.
"From the moment he entered the league, Connor has led by example and has set a remarkable standard for himself while demonstrating his ability to make the players around him better," Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson wrote in a statement.
"He has earned the respect of his teammates and the entire organization through the way he prepares, competes and conducts himself every single day, and there is no doubt that he is ready to take on this tremendous responsibility. We're proud to have him lead this storied franchise and excited for him to shape the next chapter of Blackhawks hockey.
There are still seven NHL teams without captains entering the season, including the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks.