Officially Official: Connor Bedard Announces the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field

Now it’s officially official. And it’s only fitting that Connor Bedard makes that official call. Live at Wrigley Field in a Blackhawks jacket, Bedard was on hand with the TNT crew to make the official announcement for Chicago.

“On behalf of the Chicago Blackhawks,” Bedard told the TNT crew.  “We’re very excited to announce we’ll be hosting the 2025 NHL Winter Classic vs the St. Louis Blues here at Wrigley Field–so we’re all pretty pumped.”

He’s not the only one.

Connor Bedard Is the Draw for the Winter Classic

Oh yes, there was wailing and gnashing of teeth by many in other fanbases around the league. After all, the Blackhawks will now be participating in their seventh Winter Classic since the inception of the annual game back in 2008. The Hawks hosted back in 2009 at Wrigley, a 6-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. But that season kicked off what would be one of the best runs in franchise history. Though they would bow out to Detroit in the Western Conference Final that same year, the Hawks would go onto to win the Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015 after that.

So now, it’s a kick back to the nostalgia for many fans, a chance now to see the Hawks try to climb back into contention at the spot that put the league on notice. The laughing stock was gone–and it was a new Blackhawks team taking over.

Now, Bedard has a chance to lead that charge and it’s no coincidence that the league has its sights set on him. Despite the Blackhawks record, it’s Bedard who has brought more fans back in Chicago and across the league. It isn’t just Hawks fans, either.

Opposing fan bases want a shot at catching a glimpse at the player who could be the next generational star of the league.

Bedard making the “big announcement” at one of the most iconic ballparks in America seems symbolic.

So, too, will seeing him buzz around the ice on New Years Day, perhaps kicking off another successful run for the Blackhawks at the Winter Classic.