Connor Bedard never played in his hometown during his rookie season. The 2024 Calder Trophy winner was out with a fractured jaw when the Blackhawks skated their lone game of 2023-24 in Vancouver, a 2-0 loss on Jan. 22, 2024.

Bedard, from across the harbor in North Vancouver, British Columbia, is scheduled to finally make his debut against Canucks at Rogers Arena on Nov. 16, 2024. Tickets for the contest sold out almost immediately on Wednesday, July 24 when the Canucks opened individual game ticket sales for the upcoming season.

The Blackhawks return to Vancouver on March 15, 2025 and host the Canucks at the United Center one time, on Oct. 22, 2024.

Bedard led all rookie scorer as an 18-year-old with 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games. He sat out 14 contests after his jaw was broken by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith on an open ice hit on Jan. 5, 2024 in New Jersey.

The center returned on Feb. 15 against Pittsburgh and his idol, Sidney Crosby.

Bedard, who turned 19 a week ago, has been back in the Vancouver area for the offseason and skating with a smattering of other NHL and elite players from B.C.’s Lower Mainland.