Connor Bedard became the second-youngest captain in Chicago Blackhawks history last week, and manager Kyle Davidson has finally explained why the organization believes the 21-year-old is ready for the role.
Bedard is heading into his fourth NHL season and trails only Jonathan Toews among the youngest captains in Blackhawks history. Toews was 20 years and 79 days old when he was named captain. Bedard was 21 years and 60 days old at the time of the captaincy announcement.
Davidson discussed Chicago’s decision on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio on Monday, saying the Blackhawks think Bedard has reached the right point in his development to become the team’s captain.
“We felt it was something that Connor was very ready for,” Davidson said. “We were putting him at this point in his development, both on and off the ice, in a situation to succeed and not something that he could not handle and he felt the same way. In the end with a lot of different input, it felt like the natural and organic decision to make.”
The decision establishes Bedard as the centerpiece of a Chicago team that will try to break a six-year postseason drought this season.
Bedard has led the Blackhawks in points in each of his first three NHL seasons and reached 200 career points in April, becoming the first Blackhawk to reach that mark at age 20 or younger, and reaching 203 career points by the end of the season.
Davidson described Bedard as a “natural-born leader” when announcing the decision and emphasized his commitment to bringing back winning hockey to Chicago.
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“He loves the game, he loves this city, he wants to be a leader of a group that brings winning back to Chicago,” Davidson said. “And we know he’ll continue to strive to raise the bar for his teammates in how they work every day and how they show up in the city and in the community.”
However, Bedard’s first game as captain will have to wait. The new Blackhawks captain underwent left shoulder surgery after an offseason injury and is expected to miss the beginning of the season, with his return targeted for around November.
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