Chicago Blackhawks reveal new captain, and it's not Connor Bedard

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Daniel Lucente
September 18, 2024 (9:36)

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While many fans thought Connor Bedard was going to be the next captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, the team decided to give it to Nick Foligno.

The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Wednesday that veteran forward Nick Foligno has been named the 35th captain in team history.

Foligno, 36, is entering his second season with the Blackhawks and is the first to wear the "C" since Jonathan Toews held the post from 2008-2023.

«In a very short amount of time, Nick has quickly earned the respect of his teammates and our staff,» said Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson. «Nick's commanding presence in the locker room has been instrumental in helping the team find its identity. He has served as a mentor to many of our young players both on and off the ice while also heading up the leadership group comprised of our veteran players, and we are beyond confident that he will flourish in the role of captain as we usher in a new era of Blackhawks hockey.»

He originally was picked 28th overall by the Ottawa Senators back in 2006, spending five seasons with Ottawa before being dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2012 in exchange for defenseman Marc Methot. He was captain of Columbus for six of his eight seasons with the club.

Nick Foligno was born in Buffalo, NY. He's had a remarkably unbelievable NHL career to date, playing 17 seasons with five different teams: the Senators, Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and Blackhawks. In 1,155 regular season games, he has recorded 232 goals and 562 points.

Awards and accolades for Nick Foligno include NHL All-Star in 2015, the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2017. The Blackhawks regular season opens on October 8 against the Utah Hockey Club.

Source: NHL.com
Nick Foligno Stats

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