Connor Bedard is the new man wearing the C in Chicago.
With training camp set to open in two days, the Blackhawks announced Tuesday that Bedard has been named the 37th captain in franchise history. At this point, the move hardly qualifies as a surprise.
Bedard has been the obvious choice for a while, and now the team has made it official. He is also the youngest captain in the NHL right now.
There had been some chatter about Patrick Kane getting the nod after returning on a two-year contract, but the organization went with the player who has become the face of the franchise since Chicago took him first overall in 2023.
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson made the case in a statement, saying: "Connor perfectly embodies what it means to be a Blackhawk," said Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson 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. We're proud to have him lead this storied franchise and excited for him to shape the next chapter of Blackhawks hockey."
The captaincy also fits the way Bedard has grown into the room over the last three seasons. He picked up lessons from former captain Nick Foligno and alternate captains Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson, and after their departure at the trade deadline in March of 2026, he became even more comfortable in his own leadership style.
Bedard isn’t loud about it. He keeps plenty to himself.
But his connection with teammates and coaches has clearly grown, and that’s helped make this an easy decision.
Bedard said the honor means plenty to him, too.
"Being named captain of the Blackhawks is an unbelievable honor and something I'm truly humbled by. 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."
In Other News...
Connor Bedard Just Became The Face Of Chicago's Rebuild
The Blackhawks have officially handed the captaincy to Connor Bedard, a move that matches the direction of the franchise as much as the moment. Bedard now becomes the 37th captain in team history, stepping into the role after Nick Foligno was traded to the Minnesota Wild, and the choice comes with the kind of weight that has followed him since he arrived in Chicago.
Bedards rise has been backed by production, too. He is coming off a season with career highs across the board and already has a long-term contract extension in place, so this is not just a ceremonial nod to potential. It is another sign that the organization is ready to build around him, even as the next phase of the rebuild asks him to carry more responsibility than before. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Face A Del Mastro Decision As Camp Nears
Training camp is closing in, and Ethan Del Mastro is still part of one of the Blackhawks quieter but more important roster questions. The 23-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent, and Chicago has already made its qualifying offer, but he remains unsigned as the team sorts through a crowded pool of young blue-liners. Its the kind of situation that tends to linger until the calendar starts forcing decisions.
For Del Mastro, the path to meaningful ice time is tied as much to the depth chart as to his own play. The Blackhawks have several young defensemen in the mix, which means his role this season could hinge on camp performance, injuries, and how the rest of the group settles in around him. Chicago likes the player enough to keep the door open, but there is still plenty to sort out before his spot becomes clear. [Read more 🡒]
Blackhawks Face One Brutal Test Before Bedard Can Save Them
Connor Bedards offseason took an unwelcome turn in July, when the Blackhawks star underwent successful surgery on his left shoulder. The recovery timeline points to a return in November, which means Chicago will have to navigate a meaningful chunk of the early schedule without the player who drives so much of its offense and attention.
For a team already staring at a difficult opening stretch, that absence changes the tone of the first months of the season. Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, Bowen Byram and Patrick Kane are among the names expected to carry more of the load in Bedards place, but the bigger question is how much damage the Blackhawks can avoid before their franchise centerpiece is back and ready to pick up the pieces. [Read more 🡒]