The Chicago Blackhawks selected Connor Bedard as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft on Wednesday.
Bedard will make the jump to the NHL from the Western Hockey League, where he played Center for the Regina Pats. He was widely considered a shoe-in for the No. 1 pick, with several evaluators considering him generational talent.
Blackhawks fans can already find T-shirts and officially licensed NHL jerseys available online for the exciting new pick. Head to NHL Shop’s Blackhawk’s collection for the new gear, and use code: NHL Deal to save 25% off site wide. Here’s the jersey:
Connor Bedard Chicago Blackhawks jersey. (NHL Shop)
Men’s Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard Fanatics Branded Red 2023 NHL Draft Home Breakaway Player Jersey – $174.99
The jersey is also available in women’s and youth sizes. If you’re looking to spend a little less, check out this T-shirt instead:
Connor Bedard Draft Jersey. (NHL Shop)
Men’s Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard Fanatics Branded Red 2023 NHL Draft Authentic Stack Player Name & Number T-Shirt – $34.99
The T-shirt is also available in women’s sizes, and black or red colors.
More Blackhawks gear can be found at NHL Shop’s Chicago Blackhawk’s collection.
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More NHL Draft coverage from The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Connor Bedard can finally appreciate looking forward to playing for the Chicago Blackhawks after spending the past few months avoiding the subject.
And the Blackhawks — and their fans who began chanting “Let’s go, Hawks!” in Music City after Bedard was selected with the first pick in the NHL draft on Wednesday night — can begin looking forward to a new era with a highly skilled offensive forward who’s drawn comparisons to Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.
Bedard became the second No. 1 pick in Blackhawks history, joining Patrick Kane, who went first overall in 2007 and helped form the core of a team that won three Stanley Cups from 2010 to 2015. Kane’s tenure in Chicago ended in February when he was traded to the New York Rangers.
“I can’t put into words growing up and obviously, that’s when they were going on their runs winning Cups,” said Bedard, who turns 18 on July 17. “You watched a lot of them and you see the United Center going crazy and all of Chicago getting behind them and you know (the) Original Six and so much history here.”
As for why he spent the past two months deflecting questions about the Blackhawks? Bedard smiled and said: “I didn’t want to jinx myself.”
At just under 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Bedard is regarded a generational prospect, much like McDavid, who was selected first in 2015 and this week was named the league’s MVP for the third time.
Impressive as Bedard’s resume has been, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson was careful not to put too much on his new player’s shoulders right away.
“He’s a pretty special player, a very special person. We’ll let him determine how special that first season is,” Davidson said when asked about his expectations for Bedard.
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