Connor Bedard celebrated his 18th birthday Monday by signing his entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The three-year contract includes an average annual value of $950,000 and includes the maximum allowed performance bonuses.
The Blackhawks surprised no one when they selected Bedard first overall in last month's NHL Draft. The North Vancouver native dominated the WHL with 71 goals and 143 points in just 57 games, then added 20 points in seven playoff games. He also led Canada to gold at the world junior hockey championship with 23 points in seven games.
"He wants to be great," Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson said on draft night. "He takes nothing for granted. He's humble... he just gets it. He's going to put in the work to be as good he can be.
"That's really exciting considering how good he already is."
Bedard becomes the face of a Blackhawks franchise that has moved on from icons Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Last season Chicago finished 30th in the league with 26 wins and 59 points but the Blackhawks leapfrogged the Ducks and Blue Jackets to select Bedard after winning the draft lottery.
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