Former top NHL pick welcomes Bears selections to Chicago

Chicago Bears first-round picks Rome Odunze (left) and Caleb Williams (right) David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Former No. 1 overall pick in NHL welcomes star Bears selections to Chicago

By Paul Harris | Last updated 4/27/24

Connor Bedard is a generational hockey talent, which is the reason he was the selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Draft.

And Bedard had a strong rookie season.

Despite missing 14 games with a broken jaw, Bedard had 22 goals and 39 assists for 61 points in 68 games. He is the heavy favorite to win the Calder Trophy – which goes to the NHL Rookie of the Year – at the NHL Awards Show, which will be held in Las Vegas on June 27.

Bedard, who won't turn 19 until July, also recognizes great talent in other sports, particularly in players who are headed to Chicago.

After the Chicago Bears drafted Caleb Williams out of USC with the first overall pick and wide receiver Rome Odunze from Washington with the ninth overall pick of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, Bedard welcomed the pair to the city with a tweet on X:

Our city is your city @CALEBcsw @RomeOdunze welcome home! @ChicagoBears ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Z8Yu7kf1Qo
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 26, 2024

For once there is real hope surrounding the Bears in Chicago for the coming season.

In addition to their star draft picks, the Bears have also added wide receiver Keenan Allen in trade and running back D'Andre Swift in free agency during the offseason.

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