• Loading stock data...
Monday, April 28, 2025

One Year Later, Blackhawks Still Feeling the Connor Bedard Effect

  • Chicago selected the generational talent with the first pick in the 2023 NHL draft.
  • Ticket sales, viewership, and other off-ice metrics continue to rise.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

At this time last year, the Blackhawks were getting ready to make a generational selection with the first pick of the NHL draft: Canadian center Connor Bedard (above), who would turn only 18 the following month.

Draft night in 2023 culminated a frenetic several weeks for Chicago, which saw a $5.2 million rush on season tickets in the aftermath of winning the draft lottery. As the season approached, ticket sales continued to soar, and Bedard’s debut ended up being the second-most-watched NHL game of the regular season.

The Bottom Line

While Bedard’s debut season resulted in winning the Calder Trophy on Thursday night as the NHL’s rookie of the year, it didn’t improve the Blackhawks’ place in the NHL standings (Chicago dropped from 30th in 2023 to 31st in ’24). Still, his off-ice impact was undeniable. Take a look at some of the biggest boosts the team saw over the previous season.

  • The Blackhawks saw a league-high 22% increase in total tickets sold, the team tells Front Office Sports.
  • Home attendance jumped from 24th to 5th in the NHL, with 18,836 fans per game.
  • Bedard had the top-selling NHL jersey.
  • Viewership for Blackhawks games on NBC Sports Chicago increased by 35%.

After drafting Bedard in 2023, the Blackhawks say they sold 50% more full season-ticket packages than in ’22. Now, the team is tracking at a 97% renewal rate, as fans stick around for the young talent’s sophomore campaign. 

Bigger Than Hockey

Blackhawks front office executive Matt Gray credits Bedard’s arrival with the team reaching a new segment of fans. “He was starting to permeate culture, or the sports world generally,” says Gray, Chicago’s vice president of business strategy and analytics. “Whether it was collaborations with Victor Wembanyama or Pat McAfee’s show, or things like that that I don’t think we at the Blackhawks had really seen before.”

This coming season, the Blackhawks will have a new regional sports network home for Bedard to boost, Chicago Sports Network, as well as a new place in the national spotlight: The Blackhawks will host the Blues in this year’s Winter Classic at Wrigley Field. “I don’t think that happens without Bedard, to be honest with you,” Gray says.

For this draft, armed with the Nos. 2 and 18 picks in the first round, Chicago realizes the Bedard effect was likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “We might put a little bit less significance on the individual versus the team, and the path that we’re on overall,” Gray says.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Goodell: Three NFL Games Every Christmas Moving Forward

The league is returning to scheduling three games on the holiday this season.
Jan 15, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) tries to hold off Boston Bruins center Jakub Lauko (94) during the second period at TD Garden.

Mistrial Declared for Five Ex-NHL Canadians Accused of Sexual Assault

The trial started Tuesday over an alleged 2018 incident in a hotel room.

Knicks, Rangers to See Big Cut in MSG Networks Media-Rights Fees

The teams will each see big reductions in their local media-rights fees.

NFL Draft Attendance in Green Bay Easily Tops Early Projections

Round 1 drew 205,000 fans in and around Lambeau Field.

Featured Today

Jun 21, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck holds the Larry O’Brien trophy prior to the Boston Celtics championship parade.

The Celtics Succession Plan Remains Murky

The transfer of power to a private-equity group is still unresolved.
Apr 13, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Jake Mangum (28) scores a run against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
April 26, 2025

The Rays Groundskeepers Are Adjusting to Life Outside the Dome

After nearly three decades in a dome, Tampa groundskeepers were forced outside.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.

Wrexham Promotion Has ‘Mind-Blowing’ Financial Implications

Both revenues and expenses will rise considerably for the newly promoted club.
April 26, 2025

Young GM’s Bold Draft Reshapes the Jaguars and Shakes Up the NFL

James Gladstone pulled the trigger on the Draft’s biggest move.
April 27, 2025

After Adding Shedeur Sanders, Browns Have 5 QBs, Steep Bill

Cleveland currently has four healthy signal-callers, and DeShaun Watson rehabbing.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
April 26, 2025

Wrexham Rises: From Fifth Tier to Brink of the Premier League

It’s now just one tier below the Premier League.
Apr 14, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; a general view of the stadium during a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
April 23, 2025

Rays See Sharp Attendance Drop in Temporary Home Amid Uncertainty

Some amenities are praised, but home attendance drops at the temporary site.
Nico Harrison
April 21, 2025

Nico Harrison Says Luka Trade Backlash Surprised Him

The Mavericks GM spoke about the trade—in front of cameras—Monday.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.