The Chicago Blackhawks had good luck when naming Jonathan Toews captain in 2008 shortly after his 20th birthday, going on to win three Stanley Cups in five years.
The Blackhawks went young again on Tuesday, Sept. 15, naming Connor Bedard the franchise's 37th captain just 60 days after his 21st birthday.
The timing was right. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick recently signed a five-year, $75 million contract to show his commitment to the team. He is by far the team's best player since he entered the league, recording 203 points in 215 games.
He's constantly working to irnprove his game, a solid example for the team. And he was off to a great start last season before hurting his shoulder.
Also, the Blackhawks recently signed Patrick Kane, a three-time Blackhawks champion
who can help Bedard on the leadership front.
The only disadvantage is Bedard will miss the start of the season after injuring his shoulder while training in the offseason and having surgery. But Kane can fill that on-ice role until Bedard returns.
What Blackhawks said about naming Connor Bedard
“Connor perfectly embodies what it means to be a Blackhawk,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. "From the moment he entered the league, Connor has led by example and has set a remarkable standard for himself while demonstrating his ability to make the players around him better. He has earned the respect of his teammates and the entire organization through the way he prepares, competes and conducts himself every single day, and there is no doubt that he is ready to take on this tremendous responsibility."
What Connor Bedard said about being named captain
"The captains who have come before me have left an incredible legacy. To now have the opportunity to carry that tradition forward is something I don't take lightly," Bedard said in a statement. "I'm grateful to the organization and my teammates for putting their trust in me to lead this team. We're building something really special here, and I'm committed to making the entire Blackhawks organization and our fans proud."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blackhawks naming Connor Bedard captain is right move at right time
