Connor Bedard shocks hockey world after signing with controversial corporation

Rising hockey sensation Connor Bedard is going into an exclusive partnership with Fanatics, joining the names of some of the most iconic superstars in sports history including Tom Brady, Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and hockey superstars Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews.

Tabbed as the number one overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard wasted little time in solidifying his status as one of the league's most brilliant young stars. Coming off his 2024 Calder Trophy win, given annually to the NHL's top rookie, Bedard said he's beyond excited to join Fanatics' elite roster of global athletes. The deal cements his status among a host of other sporting legends and places him at the forefront of the sports collectibles marketplace.

This will include highly demanded items such as jerseys, gloves, sticks, pucks, and signed photos, making Fanatics the only distributor of Bedard's officially licensed memorabilia. Game-used equipment from Bedard's matches with the Chicago Blackhawks and his appearances in the All-Star Games will also be put up for sale. Demand for such collectibles is expected to skyrocket, especially with his career still on the rise.

There's already been plenty of hype building around Bedard's launch of exclusive merchandise, and just recently Fanatics Authentic teased a social media clip showing Bedard signing pucks and jerseys. Those super-rare items are now available to fans who want to add them to their collections as they follow Bedard through the ranks into the NHL. Because he is expected to be such a big star, this memorabilia could also be a decent investment for both serious collectors and casual fans alike.

Just as his career trajectory goes up, so does the value of his memorabilia, a win-win situation for Connor Bedard and collectors. His immense talent, added to the exclusivity of this deal, means that his signed items will be in high demand for years to come.