Fans pack the Salt Shed for the Blackhawks’ NHL draft party to cheer on No. 1 pick Connor Bedard: ‘It’s all about the future’

Moments after the Chicago Blackhawks selected 17-year-old Connor Bedard with the first overall selection in the 2023 NHL draft, scores of fans cheered and chanted “Let’s go, Hawks” as red and white confetti fell inside Chicago’s Salt Shed.

Hundreds of hockey fans donning their Blackhawks best piled into the indoor and outdoor space Wednesday night for the Blackhawks’ official draft party, complete with music, activities and food.

The West Town venue erupted into loud cheers whenever ESPN’s live broadcast from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville cut to live shots inside the Salt Shed.

Even after Bedard was chosen, fans stuck around to take in the energy and keep celebrating.

Fans waited eagerly to watch the draft as the Blackhawks had the No. 1 pick for only the second time in franchise history after finishing the last season with the league’s third-worst record and defying an 11.5% chance in the draft lottery.

The last time the Hawks had first pick was in 2007, when the Hawks got three-time Stanley Cup winner Patrick Kane. He was traded to the New York Rangers on Feb. 28 after nearly 16 seasons in Chicago.

To no one’s surprise, the first pick this time around was Bedard, a center for the Regina Pats from North Vancouver, British Columbia.

Brian Mendoza said he came to watch the selection and was relieved the Hawks didn’t trade Bedard and “actually used” it.

While Mendoza said he was a season ticket holder from 2018 until last year when “they started going downhill,” he’s now “definitely” interested in investing in another season pass.

Fan Danny Quiros said while the first pick “was a lock,” he is more interested to see how the rest of the draft plays out.

“I’m more concerned about how we build the rest of the team, either with trades to get some veterans or some more rookie talent that can grow with Bedard,” he said.

Quiros also predicted that the Hawks will win the Stanley Cup within three years.

Chicago Tribune Sports

Weekdays

---

A daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.

By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

>

The season starts for the Hawks on Oct. 10 with the opening game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The first home game at the United Center won’t occur until Oct. 21 against defending Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 31

Blackhawks' No. 1 draft pick Connor Bedard is introduced at Fifth Third Arena on June 30, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Self described “die-hard Blackhawks fans” and season ticket holders Vilia Drazdys and Kate Walsh hoped Bedard’s selection would resurrect the team’s glory days.

Together for over 30 years and married for three, the couple attended the draft party to take part in what they hope is a new beginning for the Blackhawks.

“The excitement of the first round draft pick, the excitement of having someone who is going to bring sort of a new energy and maybe a new era of winning and Stanley Cups for the Blackhawks, that’s why we wanted to be a part of it,” Drazdys said.

Walsh said she’s not expecting the team to make the playoffs overnight, but is expecting to “see a great team on the ice” come October.

“This gives us a lot to look forward to in terms of the speed, the energy, but also just to see a whole new team coming together,” Walsh said. “You don’t get to see that for years with a team. I mean, we’ve been blessed to have amazing players, and now it’s all about the future.”