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The Chicago Blackhawks have named 21-year-old forward Connor Bedard as team captain, making him the second-youngest captain in franchise history behind Jonathan Toews, who was 20 when he received the honor. Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has quickly become the face of the franchise. The appointment signals the Blackhawks' commitment to building their rebuild around Bedard as they aim to return to playoff contention. The move comes ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season.