Blackhawks' Bedard wins Calder Trophy as NHL's top rookie
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Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard is the 2023-24 recipient of the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.
Despite missing time with a broken jaw, Bedard led all rookies in goals (22), assists (39) and points (61) while skating in 68 games.
The first overall pick by the Blackhawks in 2023, the Vancouver, B.C. native also participated in the 2024 NHL All-Star as a first-year player.
Bedard, one of the most-hyped prospects in recent years, was last year's No. 1 overall draft pick by the Blackhawks and led all rookies with 61 points.
Bedard, who turns 19 on July 17, is too young to drink legally to celebrate winning the trophy. He also isn't experiencing with as much as attention as last year when Bedard entered the draft as the unquestioned top draft pick.
“It's been more quiet this summer, which has been pretty nice,” Bedard said.
Brock Faber of the Minnesota Wild and Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils were the other contenders.