Connor Bedard may have been the consensus No. 1 pick heading into the 2023 NHL Draft, but his decision to fully embrace the Chicago Blackhawks went deeper than draft night headlines. In a recent sit-down interview, Bedard opened up about the two figures who made the biggest impact on his mindset as he prepared to begin his NHL career: long-time Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy and newly appointed head coach Jeff Blashill.
“Everyone talks about the market size, the original six history, the city… and yeah, all of that mattered,” Bedard said. “But honestly, the way Connor [Murphy] and Coach Blashill spoke to me—not just about hockey but about building something here—it just hit different. I wanted to be part of that.”
Connor Murphy: The Steady Leader in the Room
While Bedard is the present and future face of the franchise, Connor Murphy is one of its few remaining ties to the past. The 31-year-old blueliner has been with Chicago since 2017, quietly anchoring the defense through years of roster turnover, coaching changes, and playoff droughts.
Murphy’s influence, according to Bedard, wasn’t just about what he did on the ice—it was about what he represented.
“Murph doesn’t say a lot in the media, but he’s one of the most respected guys in that locker room,” Bedard said. “When I met him during development camp, he pulled me aside and said, ‘You don’t have to do everything right away. Just work, and we’ll have your back.’ That stuck with me.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by other young players on the roster, many of whom credit Murphy with helping them transition into the NHL both professionally and personally.
Jeff Blashill’s Bold Vision for the Future
When Jeff Blashill was hired as the Blackhawks’ head coach last offseason, some questioned whether he was the right fit for a young, rebuilding squad. But behind closed doors, it was Blashill’s no-nonsense, player-first approach that won Bedard over.
“Coach Blashill didn’t sugarcoat anything,” Bedard shared. “He laid out exactly what it would take to win here. He told me, ‘You’re going to have the puck a lot, but you’re going to be challenged more than you’ve ever been before.’ I appreciated the honesty.”
Blashill, who previously coached the Detroit Red Wings through their own rebuild, has emphasized structure, development, and mental toughness—principles that Bedard says gave him confidence in Chicago’s long-term plan.
And the results are already showing. In his sophomore season (2024–25), Bedard finished with 34 goals and 45 assists in 74 games, a significant leap from his rookie campaign. The Blackhawks didn’t make the playoffs, but they played meaningful games into March, and their young core—including Kevin Korchinski, Frank Nazar, and Ryan Donato—showed real chemistry.
Choosing Chicago, Not Just Wearing the Jersey
Bedard insists that even though he was drafted by Chicago, it still had to feel like the right fit.
“You can be picked by any team, but mentally choosing to buy into the plan—that’s different,” he said. “Guys like Murph and Coach Blashill made it clear this wasn’t just about me. It was about being part of something we’re building together.”
Now, with another summer of training ahead and expectations growing, Bedard is doubling down on his commitment to the city and the crest on his jersey.
“I didn’t come here to be famous. I came here to win,” he said. “And I believe we will.”
