As if there was any doubt.
On Thursday night, as the Blackhawks were on the ice in Madison Square Garden for a matchup against the Rangers, the NHL announced the 2024 All-Stars and rookie Connor Bedard was on the list. He’s the youngest player in NHL history to receive All-Star honors!
That unique feat is perfectly fitting for the year, and beginning of a career, that Bedard is having. The first-overall pick of this year’s draft was one of the most highly touted prospects of all time entering the league and has delivered on every one of his expectations in the first three months of his career. He was named Rookie of the Month for both November and December, and for good reason. Bedard significantly leads all NHL rookies in goals, assists, points, and shots on goal.
Bedard is even more impressive when compared to the rest of the Blackhawks. His 33 points are 11 more than the next-highest on the team, and his 115 shots on goal lead Chicago by 44. Without much help, he’s keeping up with the league’s best scorers as a nearly point-per-game player.
Bedard will join the other 31 players selected, along with players to be voted on in the coming days, in Toronto on Saturday, February 3. The players selected for the Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend haven’t been determined, but given Bedard’s skill and stardom, he may find himself competing for the $1 million prize. If selected, he’d compete in contests measuring stick handling, skating speed, a shootout, obstacle course, and more.
Bedard is the perfect player to represent Chicago on one of hockey’s biggest stages, and he’s already getting the opportunity to do so in year one. In what will hopefully be the first of many such honors for the young superstar, Bedard is officially an All-Star!
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