When the Chicago Blackhawks drafted Connor Bedard first overall, the league knew he was destined for greatness. Even then, nobody could have anticipated the levels to which he would soar. The Calder Trophy winner is just off another jaw-dropping exploit against the Calgary Flames, and what is impressive is that his prime is not even on the horizon.
The Blackhawks’ shutout victory over the Flames was only half as exceptional as Bedard’s personal win. The 20-year-old accumulated four points against Calgary. The entire roster seemed hungry for a win as Tyler Bertuzzi scored twice and goalie Spencer Knight made 33 saves. However, amid all the noise of the team’s success, Bedard has unobtrusively inched closer to an epic personal milestone.
Connor Bedard Makes History at 20
As a team, Chicago has a lot of homework to do. Having last made the playoffs in 2020, the team faces a serious need to make a comeback. Lingering at the lower end of the Central Division of the Western Conference with 17 points, the team did win the last two games against the Vancouver Canucks and the Flames. If Chicago wants to salvage this season, it absolutely needs to keep up this form.
Obviously, amid the team’s grand wins, the efforts of 20-year-old Bedard are unmissable. The hockey prodigy has had at least one point in each of the last five of the Blackhawks’ games. Over his short but illustrious NHL career, the standout center has already acquired 150 points in 165 regular-season games. With that, he has bought a ticket to a very rarefied circle of hockey greats.
Bedard has joined Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Patrick Laine, Patrick Kane, and Nathan MacKinnon as one of the active NHL players to accumulate the most points before their 21st birthday. Crosby rules the list. The Penguins icon, now in the autumn of his career, already had 294 points to his credit before he turned 21, a glaring testimony to the beast of a player Crosby was in his prime. Stamkos of the Nashville Predators is just behind Crosby with 213 points.
Edmonton Oilers legend McDavid is third on the list with 198 points, while Laine, Kane, and MacKinnon follow with 184, 161, and 153 points, respectively. Bedard sits just behind the Colorado Avalanche legend with 153 points. What is more, the 20-year-old Blackhawks star also tied with former Chicago legend, Denis Savard, to become the player at age 20 or younger to have four or more career four-point games. In this regard, Bedard and Savard are second in franchise history behind Bobby Hull.
Moreover, Bedard also broke Eddie Olczyk’s record to become the Blackhawks’ youngest player to accumulate 150 career points.
Certainly, Bedard has more surprises in store for his fans and the league as a whole. The face of the Blackhawks is only 20. It is expected to play a massive role in Chicago’s comeback to reach the pinnacle of NHL glory.
