Blackhawks Name Connor Bedard 37th Team Captain

The 21-year-old center was named captain on September 15, 2026, following the trade of Nick Foligno.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Hockey

Blackhawks Name Connor Bedard 37th Team Captain

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On September 15, 2026, the Chicago Blackhawks officially designated center Connor Bedard as the 37th captain in the franchise history. Bedard, who recently returned to the ice from left shoulder surgery, leads the team during the 2026-27 season.

Why it matters

The captaincy was vacated following the trade of former team leader Nick Foligno to the Minnesota Wild. This leadership transition marks a new chapter for the team as they look to build structure around their young centerpiece following a difficult start to the season.

Connor Bedard has recorded 206 total career points across 222 games played. The Blackhawks current 2026-27 season record sits at 3-6-0, with the team going 2-1-0 since Bedard returned to the lineup.

The players

Connor Bedard

He is a 21-year-old center for the Chicago Blackhawks who has accumulated 206 total career points.

Nick Foligno

He is the former team captain who was traded to the Minnesota Wild.

Bowen Byram

He is a 25-year-old player who is currently absent from team practice due to an upper-body injury.

The details

Bedard successfully underwent surgical repair for a left shoulder injury, which kept him sidelined for six games where the team posted a 1-5-0 record. The organization has prioritized high-tempo training sessions to refine team structure and address early-season losses while managing roster absences.

September 15, 2026: Connor Bedard was named captain of the Chicago Blackhawks.
October 13, 2026: Connor Bedard returned to play against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
October 20, 2026: Bowen Byram remained absent from practice.

Season Trajectory

Naming Bedard captain signals a long-term shift toward a youth-led roster after the departure of veteran leadership. This move directly impacts the team's identity as they attempt to stabilize their performance after a 1-5-0 start to the current campaign.

Bedard is currently averaging 20 minutes and 18 seconds of ice time per game. Fantasy owners and fans should note that his return coincides with a more competitive 2-1-0 record compared to the 1-5-0 start the team endured without him.

The takeaway

The promotion of Bedard represents a clear commitment to the future development of the core roster under his leadership. Fans and observers should expect the team to lean heavily on his contributions as they look to improve on their 3-6-0 start.