Connor Bedard is Assistant Captain for Blackhawks Final Preseason Game

Connor Bedard was sporting a letter on his jersey with the Chicago Blackhawks in the final pre-season game against the St. Louis Blues. The franchise center was the assistant captain for the game and he definitely led by example.

The Blackhawks were 0-5 heading into the final pre-season game and just needed a win to get on the right foot before the regular season began. Bedard was physical and was mixing it up with the Blues during the game and igniting a rivalry that should play out over the course of the season with a divisional opponent.

It was the right move by the Blackhawks not to put any more pressure on an 18-year-old last season. Bedard already had so much attention in his first season after being called a generational player and more.

He has learned under the new captain of the team, Nick Foligno, and Bedard is already growing as a leader. Not only can he lead by example by playing hard as one of the smaller players in the league and on the team, he will produce offense on top of it. If one of, or if the best player on the team is skating head first into the fight and giving it all he has every night, the rest of the team is going to follow.

While some might have said Bedard should get the captaincy in his second season in the league, it is the right decision to wait a little bit longer. He will be the captain of the Blackhawks in a matter of time as Foligno is later in his career, but give it another 1-2 years. Bedard will have gained valuable experience and even more respect in the room by that time and Foligno will have likely called it a career.

Passing over the captaincy from Foligno to Bedard will have to be natural, not forced. This may also be a preview to this season as the superstar may have the A on his chest at times.

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features and more.

Recent Blackhawks News

Blackhawks Move Around Several Injured Players

3 Former Blackhawks Placed on Waivers

Blackhawks Greatly Overlooked by Season-Opening Playoff Odds

Murphy Felt "Partially Responsible" After Korchinski Didn't Make Blackhawks