Blackhawks’ Bedard named rookie of the year finalist

The NHL announced on Tuesday that the Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard was named one of three finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition.”

Bedard joins Minnesota’s Brock Faber and New Jersey’s Luke Hughes as the top three vote getters for the award.

Bedard, 18, led all NHL rookies with 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games during the 2023-24 campaign, while also sharing first with 39 assists. Bedard led the Blackhawks in assists and points. His 39 assists rank sixth all-time among Chicago rookies, while his 61 points rank seventh.

Additionally, Bedard is the first player in franchise history and third player in NHL history to lead his team in points at the age of 18 (Sidney Crosby in 2005-06 and Steve Yzerman in 1983-84).

The North Vancouver, B.C. native reached the 50-point mark in just 52 games, hitting the milestone in the fewest games played by a rookie in franchise history. He also became the seventh rookie in Blackhawks history to reach the 60-point plateau.

He was selected for the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, becoming the youngest player to be named in NHL history. Bedard was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month three times, becoming the first player in franchise history and first NHL player since Connor McDavid in 2015-16 to earn the honor three times.