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Blackhawks Name Connor Bedard as Captain for 2026-27 Season
Confirmed
In Short: The Chicago Blackhawks officially named 21-year-old Connor Bedard as their new captain, making him the youngest in the NHL.
Connor Bedard has been named the 37th captain in franchise history, becoming the Blackhawks' second-youngest captain at 21 years and 60 days old, trailing only Jonathan Toews. This is the perfect way to begin the 2026-27 season, with a young and hungry player leading the team.
General manager Kyle Davidson said, 'Connor perfectly embodies what it means to be a Blackhawk.' The announcement was news to none, despite some people rallying for the legendary Patrick Kane to be named captain since he’s returned to the fold on a two-year contract.
Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is entering his fourth season with the Blackhawks and previously served as an alternate captain during parts of the 2025-26 campaign. The new face of the franchise takes the reins from Nick Foligno, who served as the Blackhawks captain for the past two seasons before getting traded to the Minnesota Wild in March.
What's confirmed
- “Connor perfectly embodies what it means to be a Blackhawk,” said Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson in a statement.
What's still developing
- The Chicago Blackhawks got another piece of business wrapped up as they get set to embark on their 2026-27 campaign.
- This makes him currently the youngest captain in the NHL.
- Late Monday evening, shortly before the 2026 Prospect Showcase with the St. Louis Blues began at USG Arena in Chicago, the Blackhawks announced they will hold a season-opening press conference at the United Center on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. (CT).
- Former Barstool Sports podcaster Rear Admiral, previously a host of Spittin’ Chiclets, posted that the Blackhawks were making a change to their vacant captaincy spot.
- Bedard became the third Blackhawks player to record a 30-goal season at age 20 or younger, joining Toews (34 in 2008-09) and Eric Daze (30 in 1995-96).
- With the secret already out, the Blackhawks made an official announcement on Tuesday morning, just a few hours before the scheduled presser in Chicago’s West Side.
- Before Foligno, Toews donned the “C” on his chest for 15 years from 2008-2023, while the Blackhawks went without a captain in 2023-24 out of respect for the future Hall of Famer.