Bedard family has connection to Draft Lottery-winning Blackhawks

Connor Bedard wouldn't be the first in his family to play for the Chicago Blackhawks if they decide to choose the 17-year-old star center from Regina of the Western Hockey League in the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft.

The Blackhawks won the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery on Monday and with it a chance to choose Bedard, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. If it happened, he'd be the second Bedard to possibly play for the Original Six franchise.

Connor's great-great uncle James Bedard played 22 games over two seasons with the Black Hawks from 1949-51. A defenseman, he had no points in five games in 1949-50 and two points (one goal) in 17 games in 1950-51.

The great uncle of Tom Bedard, Connor's father, played for Kansas City and Milwaukee of the United States Hockey League and New Westminster, Seattle and Vancouver of the Western Hockey League.

The 2023 draft will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, with the first round June 28 and Rounds 2-7 on June 29.

"Bedard has the elite skills and attributes that elite NHL players have, and it's the precision in which he reads the play, is always in the right place and how he executes and capitalizes on plays," Central Scouting vice president Dan Marr said. "What places him in that Connor McDavid-special category is his natural presence of mind and instincts that allow him to channel all these attributes to dominate when the opportunity is there and when it's needed most by his team."

Bedard could become the second player from Regina chosen No. 1 in the NHL draft, joining Doug Wickenheiser, who was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens in 1980. The last player from the WHL selected No. 1 was forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of Red Deer by the Edmonton Oilers in 2011.