RELEASE: Blackhawks Select Connor Bedard at No. 1 Overall

Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson today announced that the team has selected forward Connor Bedard with the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The Blackhawks have 10 more selections in the 2023 NHL Draft, including one more first-round pick (No. 19).

Bedard, 17, recorded 143 points (71G, 72A) in 57 regular-season games with the Regina Pats of the WHL in 2022-23. He led the League in points to win the Bobby Clarke Trophy, while finishing first in goals and tied for first in assists en route to winning the Four Broncos Trophy as the 2022-23 WHL Player of the Year. Bedard also finished tied for seventh in the WHL with 10 goals and ranked eighth with 20 points (10G, 10A) in seven postseason contests. The forward earned the Canadian Hockey League's Player of the Year, Top Prospect and Top Scorer awards for the 2022-23 season, becoming the first player in CHL history to win all three in the same season.

The North Vancouver, B.C. native won the gold medal with Team Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship as he led all tournament players in goals, assists and points (9G, 14A), and was tied for first with a +14 rating in seven games. Bedard earned the tournament's Most Valuable Player and Best Forward awards, while also being named to the tournament All-Star Team, while his 23 points established a new record for points by a Canadian in a single World Junior Championship tournament. Additionally, he was named the IIHF's 2023 Male Player of the Year.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound forward has amassed 271 points, including 134 goals and 137 assists, in 134 career regular-season WHL games over three seasons, all with Regina. Originally selected first overall in the 2020 WHL Draft at the age of 15, he became the first player in WHL history and the seventh player in CHL history to receive exceptional player status, joining John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, Sean Day, Joe Veleno and Shane Wright. Bedard was named assistant captain during the 2021-22 season, becoming the youngest player in Regina history to serve as assistant captain. He also served as the team's captain during the 2022-23 season. On the international stage, Bedard has represented Canada four times in his career, including winning gold at the 2021 World U18 Championship and the 2022 and 2023 World Junior Championships.

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