When Connor Bedard scored his first NHL goal 90 seconds into his first-ever home opener in 2023, Chicago fans were convinced: the 18-year-old rookie had potential. However, his success with the hockey stick was probably preordained. During his WHL days, the hockey centre became the first athlete to cross the 140-point mark since 1996. His skills with the puck once again shone tonight when he helped the Hawks end their 5-match losing streak, while also adding another feather to his cap.

With a 2-7-1 record in their last 10 games and 54 points, Chicago’s season has been nothing to write home about. However, Bedard has remained a standout player despite the camp’s misfortunes. But with the latest 3-1 victory over the Penguins tonight, the bad days might be finally behind them. However, that wasn’t the only highlight of the day for Connor.

The CHSN Blackhawks X handle posted on the platform on April 6 to share Connor Bedard’s latest milestone. “Another day, another historic benchmark for Bedard,” reads the social media caption as it reveals how the Vancouver, British Columbia native has stormed into the history books.

With 60+ points in both the 2023-24 (61) and the 2024-25 (60, so far) seasons, Connor has become the 11th NHL player to have multiple 60-plus-point seasons as a teenager. At the United Center tonight, Bedard didn’t get on the scoresheet, but his assist to Ilya Mikheyev for the latter’s second goal of the night had a significant impact on the final result.

The Hawks currently sit at the bottom of the Central Division. Having bid goodbye to the playoff hopes, the Chicago squad is now looking to wrap up the season with its head held high, but it looks like the bulk of the weight is being pulled by the youngster Bedard. And tonight’s feat hasn’t been the only time this season that Connor has proved his mettle to the NHL community.

Connor Bedard is having a decent individual season

In December last year, too, the Canadian achieved something truly remarkable. Scoring 60 points in one calendar year, Connor Bedard became only the third Chicago star to do so, after Bobby Hull and Eddie Olczyk did it in 1958 and 1985, respectively. Connor achieved the feat with 17 goals, scoring 60 points in 69 games. With all these accolades under his belt, it’s understandable why the Hawks fanbase looks up to the forward with a beaming gaze.

However, the Blackhawks’ season hasn’t been able to reciprocate Bedard’s impressive performance. On the other hand, some of the allegations of under-par performance are also for Connor to share. During the match between the Blackhawks and the Colorado Avalanche last Wednesday at the United Center, the teenager’s fault late into the third period allowed Martin Necas to send the game into OT, ultimately leading to the visitors picking up a marginal 3-2 victory.

Moreover, on Friday, the Blackhawks were defeated by the Capitals for a 5-3 win. Despite having 3 shots on goal at the match, Connor couldn’t get his name on the scoresheet. What’s more, it was also the same match where the Capitals’ captain, Alex Ovechkin, tied the “Great One”, Wayne Gretzky’s 894-goal record. Maybe that’s why Bedard has been in a foul mood. When the Chicago stars congratulated Ovechkin after the match, the 19-year-old didn’t do so with too much enthusiasm, which also prompted NHL fans to slam the latter for his lack of sportsmanship.

But do brighter days await the rising NHL sensation? Tell us your predictions for Connor Bedard’s next season in a comment!