The Chicago Blackhawks reward rising star Connor Bedard with a leadership role during the 2025-26 NHL season. This is the Calder Cup-winning forward’s third NHL season and he is also in a contract year.
NHL reporter Ben Pope revealed on The X on Wednesday that Bedard will serve as an alternate captain for the remainder of the season. The move reflects the team’s growing trust in the young center as the team continues to rebuild.
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Head coach Jeff Blashill confirmed the decision and explained the reasons for Bedard’s promotion.
“He’s earned this honor through his commitment to winning hockey games,” Brashear said.
Brashear also cited Bader’s work ethic and competitive mentality as key factors in the decision.
“That’s the biggest thing I talked about with him today,” Blashill said. “He’s competitive; he works hard every day.”
When speaking about the honor, Bedard spoke of the veterans who have shaped his development. He cited teammates like Connor Murphy (traded to the Edmonton Oilers), Jason Dickinson and Nick Foligno as leaders he learned from over the past two seasons.
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“You have guys like Murphy, Dickey, Flying Pig, we’ve been learning from them for a few years…” Bedard said. “Obviously, this letter isn’t going to change anything you do as a person, but it’s nice to be recognized like that.”
Foligno currently serves as captain of the Blackhawks. In September 2024, the team named the veteran forward the 35th captain in franchise history.
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Blackhawks struggle despite Connor Bedard’s breakout season
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Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) during a game against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Bedard’s promotion comes amid another strong offensive season for the young star. In 48 games, he scored 25 goals, contributed 32 assists, and scored 57 points, averaging nearly 21 minutes per game. He leads Chicago in assists and total points.
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Bedard is also a core part of the team’s strong attack and offense.
Despite Bedard’s success, the Blackhawks still face challenges in the standings. Chicago currently has a record of 23-28-10 and ranks seventh in the Central Division with 56 points. After a 10-5-4 start, their season has taken a challenging turn, but they haven’t been able to figure it out yet.
Still, the role of alternate captain shows the team’s long-term trust in Bedard. As Chicago builds a young core, the former No. 1 overall pick continues to grow into an offensive leader and voice in the locker room.
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