Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks’ youthful center, has demonstrated an exceptional performance, earning him the prestigious title of NHL’s “Rookie of the Month” for December. The 18-year-old stand-out player led all rookies with an impressive record of 10 assists and 15 points accumulated in 15 games (5-10—15), proving his worth on the ice.
Bedard’s performance outshone several other talented rookies, including Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (7-6—13 in 14 GP), Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi (5-5—10 in 14 GP), and goaltenders Pyotr Kochetkov of the Carolina Hurricanes (6-3-2, 2.36 GAA, .915 SV%), Samuel Ersson from the Philadelphia Flyers (5-2-1, 2.30 GAA, .919 SV%, 1 SO), and Buffalo Sabres’ Devon Levi (4-2-1, 2.95 GAA, .900 SV%).
Bedard had the most assists of any rookie and tied for second place with five goals. He also had the most power-play assists, points, and shots on goal of any rookie. His exceptional performance contributed to 45.5 percent of Chicago’s total goals in December (15 of 33), a percentage only surpassed by veteran players Nikita Kucherov (52.4%) and Nathan MacKinnon (56.9%).
The strong center, who was the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, scored in 11 of his 15 games in December, including four games with multiple points. His notable feats included two goals on Dec. 27 vs. Winnipeg, his first career overtime winner, and consecutive two-assist outings on Dec. 17 vs. Vancouver and Dec. 19 vs. Colorado.
This isn’t the first time Bedard has earned the “Rookie of the Month” title. He also bagged the honor in November, maintaining his lead among rookies in goals (15), assists (18), and points (33) after 36 total contests this season. It’s a feat that hasn’t been achieved since Jordan Binnington from the St. Louis Blues won the honor in consecutive months in February and March 2019. Bedard’s success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent, and he holds promise for his future in the NHL.
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As Bedard continues to dominate on the ice, NHL odds and predictions continue to place him as a top contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league’s top rookie. His consistent performance and impressive numbers make him a strong candidate for the prestigious award, which was previously won by notable players such as Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, and Evgeni Malkin.
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