Connor Bedard tracker: Goals, schedule for NHL's top rookie

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 currently has 15 goals and 18 assists for the season, but missed time after sustaining a broken jaw on Jan. 5 against the Devils.

He made his return on Feb. 15 against the Penguins.

Follow along here for the key moments in the phenom's rookie campaign, along with upcoming games on the Blackhawks schedule, a vast majority of which are available to ESPN+ subscribers at no additional cost via NHL PowerPlay.

Bedard game-by-game

Note: Most recent games first.

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:

Upcoming Blackhawks games

Note: All games not broadcast by NHL Network, TNT or TBS are available on ESPN+.