Connor Bedard has become the face of the next Blackhawks chapter, even if his first shift as captain will have to wait. Chicago named the 21-year-old center its captain Tuesday at United Center while he continues to recover from left shoulder surgery.
Connor Bedard named Blackhawks captain
Bedard is the second-youngest captain in franchise history, trailing only Jonathan Toews, who took the role at 20 years and 79 days old. The new captain said the moment became real only when he was handed the news and later saw the “C” on his jersey.
“It was surreal,” Bedard said. “To know that people whose opinions matter to you have that faith in you is something really special.”
His debut as captain does not yet have a date. Bedard is projected to miss the opening portion of the season, potentially until November, after undergoing surgery for a shoulder injury suffered in Vancouver during an offseason workout on July 2.
He has been on the ice at the Blackhawks’ practice facility, skating and shooting during informal work. Bedard said he is doing nearly all of his normal on-ice work but is taking the recovery one day at a time.
“I feel good,” he said. “I’m doing everything I can to get back as quickly as I can, but we’ll see how it progresses.”
Chicago will open without its top scorer
The Blackhawks will need to navigate the early schedule without the player who drove their offense last season. Bedard paced Chicago with 75 points, including 30 goals and 45 assists, in 69 games.
Still, he does not expect to feel detached from the club while sidelined. Bedard said the team spends enough time together away from the rink that he will remain involved in the daily rhythm, even if he cannot play.
“It will be tough not to be in the lineup at first,” Bedard said. “But I’ll be around the group every day. We’re going to start well without me, and I’m looking forward to getting back in whenever that happens.”
Chicago opens training camp Thursday. The club has not reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2019-20 season, a drought Bedard made clear he wants to end immediately.
He pointed to last season’s position before the Olympic break, when the Blackhawks were in the mix before losing ground. With the summer additions, Bedard believes Chicago has enough in the room to demand more than another finish near the bottom of the standings.
“This city expects winning,” Bedard said. “We expect to win. If we end up where we’ve been the last few years, that would be a disappointment.”
Foligno hands off the room
Bedard succeeds Nick Foligno, who wore the captaincy from Sept. 18, 2024, until Chicago traded him to the Minnesota Wild on March 6, 2026. Bedard said Foligno remains a leadership resource even after the move.
The veteran called Bedard the night before the announcement and even helped him settle on a suit for the occasion. Bedard laughed at the detail, but said it reflected the kind of ongoing support Foligno has provided.
Bedard is stepping into a lineage that includes Toews, captain from 2008 through 2023 and the leader of Chicago’s Stanley Cup winners in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
Other major names to wear the “C” include Chris Chelios, captain from 1995-99; Denis Savard, who held the role in 1988-89; Stan Mikita, captain from 1975-77; and Pierre Pilote, who led Chicago from 1961-67. Chelios, Savard, Mikita and Pilote all have retired numbers with the organization.
Mikita remains the franchise leader in goals with 541, assists with 926, points with 1,467 and games played with 1,396. He and Pilote were members of Chicago’s 1961 Stanley Cup team. Chelios attended Tuesday’s captaincy announcement.
Chelios, Savard, Mikita, Toews and Patrick Kane were included among the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players during the League’s 2017 Centennial celebration.
Kane sees a familiar pull around Bedard
Kane has returned to Chicago on a two-year contract signed July 25 after spending the previous three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. The former Blackhawks star was named an alternate captain alongside Tyler Bertuzzi.
Kane played beside Toews during Chicago’s championship era and sees a similar way teammates respond to Bedard.
“Guys naturally want to be around him and talk with him,” Kane said. “That happened with Jonathan, and I see it with Connor. From what I’ve seen of this group, it was an easy decision.”
Kane described the early camp atmosphere as upbeat and said Bedard has helped set that tone. In his view, the center is already pulling the group forward before he can physically join it in the lineup.
Bedard won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 2023-24. Through 219 regular-season games across his first three seasons, he has produced 75 goals, 128 assists and 203 points.
SEO Title: Connor Bedard Named Chicago Blackhawks Captain During Shoulder Recovery
SEO Description: Connor Bedard becomes the second-youngest captain in Chicago Blackhawks history while recovering from shoulder surgery expected to keep him out until November.
