Connor Bedard signs with Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks announced Monday that they have signed Regina Pats captain Connor Bedard to a three-year entry-level contract.
The deal comes with a $950,000 annual salary cap and runs through the 2025-2026 season.
Bedard was selected first overall by the Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in June.
“The signing of Connor is a huge step in building a new foundation for our organization,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a press release. “We are excited to see him grow and play a major role in moving our team forward in the years to come.”
Bedard is enjoying a historic season with the Pats in which he recorded 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 regular season games before adding 20 points in seven playoff games.
The 18-year-old was named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Player of the Year, Western Hockey League (WHL) Player of the Year and won the Bobby Clarke Trophy for leading the WHL in points.
Bedard was the first player in CHL history to receive all three awards in a single season.
The product from North Vancouver, BC also won his second gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship in January, leading the tournament in goals (9), assists (14) and points.
The Blackhawks open the 2023-24 NHL regular season on October 10 in Pittsburgh.
