The Chicago Blackhawks are giving their franchise player the captaincy ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Connor Bedard has been named the 37th captain in franchise history, the Blackhawks announced Tuesday.
The last player to wear the'C' in Chicago was Nick Foligno, who was team captain from the beginning of the 2024-25 season until he was traded on March 6, 2026 to the Minnesota Wild. Bedard previously served as an alternate captain last season.
"Connor perfectly embodies what it means to be a Blackhawk," Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement."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.
"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."
Bedard was the first-overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft and will be entering his fourth season with the Blackhawks. He's coming off a career year, reaching the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career while finishing with 75 points in 69 games.
"Being named captain of the Blackhawks is an unbelievable honor and something I'm truly humbled by," Bedard added in the same 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."
It may be a while before Bedard actually gets to wear the'C' in a game, as the 21-year-old is recovering from shoulder surgery and is expected to miss the beginning of the 2026-27 season.