Blackhawks boon: Rookie Connor Bedard leads NHL in jersey sales
Chicago Blackhawks rookie sensation Connor Bedard has the top-selling jersey in the NHL this season, according to Fanatics.
Bedard, 18, was the first pick in the 2023 NHL draft. He leads all rookies in points (40) and is tied with Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi for the lead in goals (17), despite missing 14 games with a broken jaw this season.
Bedard's economic impact for the Blackhawks has been palpable. The team nearly doubled its season-ticket base before the season started and projected a 10% increase in tickets sold overall.
Through February, New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes had second-highest-selling jersey, followed by New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin, Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews and Rangers center Mika Zibanejad.
What makes Bedard's jersey sales more impressive is that they weren't fueled by the Blackhawks competing in an outdoor game. Hughes, Panarin and Zibanejad all played in the 2025 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium, where their teams wore limited-edition alternate jerseys that boosted sales.
Hughes had the highest-selling jersey in the NHL since Feb. 1, followed by Panarin, Devils center Nico Hischier, Zibanejad and Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin.
Fanatics, the NHL's longtime e-commerce and fan apparel partner, will become its new outfitter of on-ice uniforms and authentic jerseys beginning in 2024-25.
