A new era in Chicago Blackhawks hockey began the moment they won the 2023 NHL draft lottery and, with it, the chance to draft Connor Bedard.
Draft him the club did, and his professional career has gotten off to a fast start, with his first goal in Game 2. He finished the season with 22 goals and 39 assists, missing time after sustaining a broken jaw on Jan. 5 against the Devils.
Here's a recap of every game in the phenom's rookie campaign, including highlights of every goal.
Bedard game-by-game
Note: Most recent games first.
April 18: Kings 5, Blackhawks 4 (OT)
The Blackhawks took a playoff-bound team to OT, but couldn't get the game-winner in the extra frame. No points for Bedard in this one, but he finished the season with team highs in goals (22, tied with Jason Dickinson) and assists (39).
April 16: Golden Knights 3, Blackhawks 1
The penultimate game of Bedard's rookie campaign was another loss to the playoff-bound team, but he did pick up assist No. 39 on Jason Dickinson's third-period tally.
April 14: Hurricanes 4, Blackhawks 2
Bedard's new teammate Frank Nazar scored a beaut of a goal on his first NHL shot, but the Canes were just too mighty on this night.
April 12: Predators 5, Blackhawks 1
The Predators are headed to the playoffs; the Blackhawks are not. This is about the result one would expect, but Bedard did notch an assist on Philipp Kurashev's power-play goal.
April 10: Blues 5, Blackhawks 2
The stretch run continues for Connor & Co., and the Blues' four first-period goals pretty much sealed the result here.
April 7: Wild 4, Blackhawks 0
One team entered the game fighting for its last shred of playoff hopes; the other has been eliminated for weeks. And, that's pretty much how it went.
April 6: Blackhawks 3, Stars 2
That's why they play the games! The Blackhawks outlasted one of the league's top teams, and Bedard was responsible for one of the three goals, a second-period, power-play tally.
April 2: Islanders 2, Blackhawks 1
A tough loss against a team fighting for a playoff spot, but Bedard did add another assist to his rookie-season total on Jason Dickinson's goal in the first period.
March 30: Blackhawks 5, Flyers 1
The Flyers were gracious hosts to their visitors, and the Blackhawks put up a 5-spot, including an assist for Bedard on Philipp Kurashev's first period goal.
March 28: Senators 2, Blackhawks 0
The Sens are a little farther along in their rebuild than the Blackhawks, and took the decision here thanks to two first-period goals.
March 26: Blackhawks 3, Flames 1
A solid win for Bedard and friends against the visiting Flames, including a power-play assist for Connor on Seth Jones' first period power-play goal.
March 23: Blackhawks 5, Sharks 4 (OT)
This was one of the more riveting games that two lottery-bound teams have played this season; after the Sharks charged out to a 4-0 lead, the Blackhawks tied it up, with the equalizer coming 19:13 of the third period. Then, Seth Jones scored the game-winner just 18 seconds into overtime.
March 21: Ducks 4, Blackhawks 0
Bedard and his teammates laid a collective egg against the Ducks.
March 19: Kings 6, Blackhawks 2
The Kings again? This one was closer than the March 15 matchup, but ultimately two goals (including one from Kevin Korchinski with a Bedard assist) were not enough.
March 17: Blackhawks 5, Sharks 2
In a matchup of two clubs destined for the draft lottery, Bedard's side won decisively, and he picked up an assist and an empty-net goal in the process.
March 15: Kings 5, Blackhawks 0
The Kings entered the game as one of the top contenders in the Pacific Division, the Blackhawks as one of the top contenders for the No. 1 pick. So, this result was not entirely shocking.
March 12: Blackhawks 7, Ducks 2
Bedard has had some rough games in his rookie campaign, but there have been some bright spots too. This game was one of the brightest, as he scored goal No. 20 and had four assists as the Blackhawks grounded the Ducks.
March 10: Blackhawks 7, Coyotes 4
Chicago ran roughshod over the Zona Yotes, led by the rookie phenom: Two goals and an assist for Bedard in this one.
March 9: Capitals 4, Blackhawks 1
The Blackhawks were officially eliminated from playoff contention with this loss, and no points in this one from Bedard either.
March 5: Blackhawks 5, Coyotes 2
It was a two-assist night for Bedard in the Blackhawks' dismantling of the Zona Yotes, with both apples coming on the power play:
March 4: Avalanche 5, Blackhawks 0
Another tough outing for Bedard & Co. as the Blackhawks were blanked by the Avs for the second time in five days.
March 2: Blue Jackets 5, Blackhawks 2
Bedard and the Blackhawks fell to one of the other teams headed for the draft lottery, but he did pick up assist No. 24 of the season on Philipp Kurashev's goal in the first period.
Feb. 29: Avalanche 5, Blackhawks 0
It was Bedard's first leap day game of his NHL career, but the phenom and his teammates were mostly spinning their wheels in getting blanked by the Avs.
Feb. 25: Red Wings 3, Blackhawks 2 (OT)
Bedard picked up an assist on Nick Foligno's go-ahead goal in the second period, but former Blackhawk Alex DeBrincat tied it in the third, and another former highly drafted Blackhawk, Patrick Kane, won it in OT.
Feb. 24: Jets 3, Blackhawks 2 (OT)
No points for Bedard in this one, as the Jets needed the extra session to earn two points against the Blackhawks.
Feb. 21: Flyers 3, Blackhawks 1
Bedard went scoreless in a career-high 24:49 of ice time as Chicago fell short against Philly.
Feb. 19: Hurricanes 6, Blackhawks 3
Bedard had a goal and two assists in this one, but the Hurricanes were too much for his Blackhawks.
Feb. 17: Blackhawks 3, Senators 2
Bedard notched goal No. 16 and assist No. 20 in leading the Blackhawks to win No. 15 of the season.
Feb. 15: Penguins 4, Blackhawks 1
Bedard made his return to the ice against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, skating 21:17. While the phenom notched assist No. 19 on Philipp Kurashev's second period goal, that was not enough to upend Pittsburgh.
Jan. 5: Devils 4, Blackhawks 2
Fans who gathered at the Prudential Center in Newark to check out the NHL's rookie phenom were left a bit underwhelmed as Bedard was knocked out of the game by a Brendan Smith hit in the first period.
Jan. 4: Rangers 4, Blackhawks 1
Bedard did not figure into the scoring mix in this one, but did find out that he will be the player representing the Blackhawks at the All-Star Game this season.
Jan. 2: Predators 3, Blackhawks 0
Neither Bedard nor any other Blackhawk had a point in this one, but the phenom did block a shot in 19:07 of ice time.
Dec. 31: Stars 8, Blackhawks 1
After a close matchup with the Stars two days prior, Bedard and friends were on the wrong side of a TD plus two-point conversion on New Year's Eve. But, he did pick up assist No. 18 on the season via a Philipp Kurashev power-play goal in the third.
Dec. 29: Stars 5, Blackhawks 4 (OT)
Bedard & Co. came up just short to one of the West's top teams, and the first-year phenom was kept off the score sheet.
Dec. 27: Blackhawks 2, Jets 1
Bedard was responsible for both Chicago goals -- including the game-winner in overtime -- as the Blackhawks began their post-holiday schedule.
Dec. 23: Blues 7, Blackhawks 5
This one was clearly not lacking for offense, the highlight of which was Bedard's lacrosse-style "Michigan" goal in the first period:
Dec. 22: Canadiens 5, Blackhawks 2
Another No. 1 overall pick -- 2022's Juraj Slafkovsky -- stole the show in this one, with a goal and an assist in the Habs' win. Bedard chipped in with an assist on Ryan Donato's first period goal.
Dec. 19: Blackhawks 3, Avalanche 2
That's why they play the games! While the Avs are headed for another serious playoff run and the Blackhawks are destined for the draft lottery again, sometimes wild things happen. Bedard picked up assist Nos. 15 and 16 in this one.
Dec. 17: Canucks 4, Blackhawks 3
A game that was perhaps closer than many assumed it would be, but in the end the Blackhawks didn't have quite enough against the Canucks. Bedard added two power-play assists in this one, pushing his season total to 14 helpers.
Dec. 14: Kraken 7, Blackhawks 1
Another rough outing for the Blackhawks, as the Kraken were not very kind hosts in this one.
Dec. 12: Oilers 4, Blackhawks 1
It had been a minute since Bedard had scored a goal, and on a massive stage -- a nationally televised game against Connor McDavid & Co. -- he scored the first goal of the contest. (The Oilers would score four straight to win the game.)
Dec. 10: Capitals 4, Blackhawks 2
A pair of assists for a Bedard in a losing effort for Chicago.
Dec. 9: Blackhawks 3, Blues 1
No points for Bedard in this one, but a steady victory for his team against a division foe.
Dec. 7: Blackhawks 1, Ducks 0
Some may have tuned in to this game anticipating a high-scoring affair between two teams with exciting young players. Those folks would've been disappointed! But, Bedard fans have reason for joy, as he assisted on Philipp Kurashev's second-period, power-play goal which was the only one scored the entire game.
Dec. 5: Predators 4, Blackhawks 3
No points for Bedard in this one, but a reasonably close game against a division rival portends good things for the future of the team!
Dec. 3: Wild 4, Blackhawks 1
With the Wild up 4-0 in the third, Bedard earned a secondary assist on Taylor Raddysh's power-play goal.
Dec. 2: Jets 3, Blackhawks 1
Bedard started the scoring in this tilt, notching his 11th of the season at 4:39 of the first period. The Jets, however, would come back to score three to take the W.
Nov. 30: Red Wings 5, Blackhawks 1
The recently signed Patrick Kane wasn't ready to skate against his former team, and this wasn't the greatest night for Bedard and the Blackhawks either. But, the rookie did pick up an assist on Lukas Reichel's power-play tally.
Nov. 28: Blackhawks 4, Kraken 3
No points for Bedard in 15:57 of ice time, but a solid team victory for Chicago over a 2023 playoff team.
Nov. 26: Blues 4, Blackhawks 2
Bedard had trouble getting any pucks past Jordan Binnington in this one, though he landed three shots on goal in 16:52 of ice time.
Nov. 24: Blackhawks 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
Bedard didn't have any goals in this one -- his teammate Jason Dickinson had a hat trick -- but he did get the primary assist on fellow rookie Kevin Korchinski's OT game-winner.
Nov. 22: Blue Jackets 7, Blackhawks 3
The fans in Columbus were thankful for all of the offense in this one, and Bedard rang up his 10th goal of the season late in the first period.
Nov. 19: Sabres 3, Blackhawks 2
For the second time in two days, Bedard had an assist on a Philipp Kurashev goal, but the Blackhawks emerge from this one with another loss.
Nov. 18: Predators 4, Blackhawks 2
Bedard earned a primary assist on Philipp Kurashev's second period goal, but ultimately the Blackhawks could not upend the Preds in this Central Division clash.
Nov. 16: Lightning 4, Blackhawks 2
After a standout performance in Chicago's 5-3 win over the Lightning one week prior, Bedard was held scoreless in 19:17 of ice time in this one, as Tampa Bay got its revenge.
Nov. 12: Panthers 4, Blackhawks 3
Bedard scored two more goals, but the Panthers proved a bit too much in the rematch from Nov. 4.
Nov. 9: Blackhawks 5, Lightning 3
Although the Lightning scored first, Bedard led a furious scoring onslaught for the Blackhawks during the first period, with two goals and an assist, en route to a Chicago win.
Nov. 5: Devils 4, Blackhawks 2
No points for Bedard in 19:54 of ice time in this one, as the Devils earn a win after learning Jack Hughes would be out "week to week" with an injury.
Nov. 4: Blackhawks 5, Panthers 2
Bedard delighted the home crowd with a second period goal that put the Blackhawks up 4-0 en route to a commanding victory.
Oct. 30: Coyotes 8, Blackhawks 1
On a visit to Mullett Arena, it was Bedard striking first with a goal 28 seconds into the proceedings. But then the Yotes took over, scoring eight straight.
Oct. 27: Blackhawks 4, Golden Knights 3
Bedard & Co. handed the Golden Knights their first loss of the 2023-24 season, and he scored goal No. 3 during the proceedings:
Oct. 24: Bruins 3, Blackhawks 0
Bedard and the rest of the Blackhawks were held off the scoreboard in this one, but it wasn't for lack of trying, as an apparent goal was called off due to a coach's challenge:
Oct. 21: Golden Knights 5, Blackhawks 3
Ticket prices for Bedard's home debut were through the roof, and the rookie didn't wait long to give the fans what they wanted. He scored his first home goal on the power play 1:30 into the first period. But, Chicago didn't have nearly enough offense to match up with the defending Cup champs this night.
Oct. 19: Avalanche 4, Blackhawks 0
As we prognosticated upon Bedard's rookie season, we had a feeling that the Blackhawks would not be among the top Stanley Cup favorites. They faced one a team like that in this game, and the Avs showed Bedard & Co. a glimpse of what that looks like up close. No points (or highlight-reel clips), but a decent 7-for-15 from the faceoff dot for our guy Bedard.
Oct. 16: Blackhawks 4, Maple Leafs 1
In Bedard's final season of junior hockey, he had more games with five points than games with zero points. Chicago's win over Toronto in his fourth game was one of the second type, as he failed to register a point despite a lopsided win for his club:
Oct. 14: Canadiens 3, Blackhawks 2
The Canadiens edged the Blackhawks in a game of two teams we expect will be in the draft lottery again in 2024. Bedard picked up an assist on Tyler Johnson's second goal of the game:
Oct. 11: Bruins 3, Blackhawks 1
Bedard & Co. fell short in their second game of the season, but he did score the first regular-season goal of his career:
Oct. 10: Blackhawks 4, Penguins 2
The stories leading into Bedard's first game focused on the matchup with his childhood idol (and fellow No. 1 draft pick) Sidney Crosby. Bedard's night included taking the game's first faceoff against Crosby, and he also had an assist on Ryan Donato's goal: