Connor Bedard Wins Calder Trophy as Top NHL Rookie

Center Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks showcased his remarkable talent in his rookie season, leading the team with 22 goals and 61 points. The 18-year-old prodigy received the prestigious Calder Trophy at the 2024 NHL Awards held at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

Throughout the season, Bedard faced immense pressure as the new face of the Blackhawks, aiming to revive the team’s former glory. Despite missing 14 games due to a broken jaw, Bedard’s exceptional performance on the ice earned him 152 first-place votes and a total of 1,808 voting points.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber, who displayed a stellar all-around game throughout the season, was a strong contender for the Calder Trophy, coming in second with 1,464 points.

Notable rookies such as Luke Hughes from the New Jersey Devils and Macklin Celebrini, the highly anticipated No. 1 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, added to the competitive rookie class of 2023-24. Bedard, hailing from North Vancouver, British Columbia, shared his experiences and insights as a young standout in the league.

The Calder Trophy win solidified Bedard’s place among the Blackhawks’ legends, joining the ranks of past winners like Patrick Kane and Steve Larmer. Looking ahead to the upcoming NHL Draft at Sphere, Bedard expressed readiness to support and guide the next generation of rookies entering the league.