Report: Blackhawks sold $2.5M of season tickets after winning lottery

The Windy City is eager to feast its eyes on Connor Bedard at the United Center next season.

Within 90 minutes of winning the right to draft first overall on Monday, the Chicago Blackhawks sold $2.5 million worth of season ticket plans for next season, including upward of 500 new packages, according to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Blackhawks won the draft lottery after entering the draw with the third-highest odds - 11.5%. They skipped over the Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks to secure the top prize, all but assuring Bedard will be the next face of the franchise in Chicago.

The 17-year-old Canadian phenom has been the unanimous top 2023 prospect for years, and he cemented his status as a potential generational talent with 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games with the WHL's Regina Pats this season. Bedard also won MVP at the world juniors after leading his country to a gold medal while notching 23 points in seven contests.

Chicago has been tearing down its roster for much of general manager Kyle Davidson's tenure. The Blackhawks were major sellers at this year's trade deadline, highlighted by shipping off franchise icon Patrick Kane. They also recently announced they won't retain longtime captain Jonathan Toews after his contract expires this summer.

The Blackhawks finished 30th in the standings this season with a 26-49-7 record and saw a 7.2% drop in home attendance, according to Sports Business Journal's David Broughton. That's the steepest decline across the league outside of the Arizona Coyotes, who moved to an NCAA-sized arena.

Chicago hasn't had the No. 1 pick since drafting Kane in 2007.

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