Chicago's NHL team is celebrating its lucky draw, winning the first overall draft pick on Monday and (presumably) snatching up the league's most sought-after rising star, Canadian 17-year-old Connor Bedard.
The moment not only boosted one of the league's original franchises, but brought in more than $5.2 million US in season ticket plan sales in the first 12 hours after the pick — almost half of it within 90 minutes — according to The Chicago Sun-Times.
Hockey fans were quick to point out that that sum is more than the $2 million US fine the team was required to pay the NHL following the 2021 settlement over its handling of former player Kyle Beach's sexual assault accusations against a former team coach.
There was also criticism of Chicago not having to forfeit its first draft pick when other teams — such as the Arizona Coyotes and the New Jersey Devils — faced that penalty in the past for running afoul of league protocols.