June 27, 2024, 7:23 PM
The first overall pick in 2023 definitely lived up to the hype – and he’s been awarded for it.
Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard won the Calder Memorial Trophy at the NHL Awards on Thursday night for his performance over his rookie season.
The 18-year-old centre led the league’s rookies in points (61), goals (22) and assists (39).
He received 152 first-place votes, while runner up Brock Faber had 42.
A native of North Vancouver, B.C., Bedard played 68 games in 2023-24. He missed over a month of play after suffering a fractured jaw in January which required surgery.