Blackhawks prevent fans from buying Connor Bedard jerseys

It is pretty much written in stone ever since the Blackhawks won the NHL Draft lottery on May 8th : Chicago will select generational talent Connor Bedard with the first overall pick. When the Hawks won the lottery, it took only a few hours for season ticket sales to be flooding in after the results were in. Just one day after the lottery the Blackhawks had sold $5.2 million worth of season-ticket plans.

All thanks to Bedard.

However, when it comes to purchasing the jersey of the new hero in the Windy City, that’s another story. It is currently impossible to obtain a Hawks jersey with the number 98 and the name Bedard embroidered on the back because those orders are systematically rejected. And it’s all because of contractual and legal reasons as team insider Scott Powers of The Athletic recently explained:

“Fans have been trying to buy customized Blackhawks No. 98 Bedard jerseys since the lottery. Some have apparently succeeded, but most people are being turned away, especially at the physical Blackhawks stores and on Fanatics’ website. If you try to make a Blackhawks Bedard No. 98 jersey on Fanatics, you receive this message: “We are unable to customize this item with the text you have entered. Please try a different entry.” The reason is the Blackhawks and the NHL can’t technically sell Bedard jerseys now because there isn’t a name, image and likeness contract in place. Unless you can prove your last name is Bedard and your favorite number is 98, you’ll probably have to wait until the Blackhawks actually draft him.”

Therefore, don’t expect a huge draft controversy à la Eric Lindros in Chicago before of the jersey saga. Powers is adamant that Bedard, and his jerseys, will be coming to the Blackhawks soon.

“To be clear, the Blackhawks are definitely drafting Bedard. There won’t be some major draft surprise.”

Fans just have to be patient…

Recommended articles:

• Unexpected revelation about “cheating in the Connor Bedard lottery” made by Elliotte Friedman!
• Regina Pats member shares insight on Connor Bedard potentially pulling a Lindros!
• Connor Bedard has been warned by Wayne Gretzky about Chicago!
• Connor Bedard will be the 2nd member of his family to play for Blackhawks
• Connor Bedard is going to the Chicago Blackhawks!