Connor Bedard's Chicago Connection: A Look at the City's No. 1 Draft Picks

Connor Bedard, the NHL's top prospect, is part of a list of 12 No. 1 draft picks made by Chicago's pro teams. The latest pick, Roch Cholowsky, was selected by the White Sox in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft.

What happened?

The Chicago White Sox secured the first pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft by winning the league's lottery at their annual winter meetings. This marked the first time in 49 years that the team had the first pick.

Why it matters for Connor Bedard

Connor Bedard, the NHL star, is part of a long list of talented athletes who were selected as the top pick by Chicago's pro teams. The list includes Tom Harmon, a Heisman Trophy winner, and Caleb Williams, a quarterback who led the Bears to the NFC North championship.

What comes next?

The 12 athletes who were selected as the top pick by Chicago's pro teams since 1940 have had varying degrees of success. Some, like Harmon and Williams, have gone on to achieve great things, while others have struggled to live up to expectations.

The Bears' selection of Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL draft was a notable one, as the team went from a five-win team to 11-6 and champions of the NFC North for the first time since 2010. Williams credited coach Ben Johnson's arrival as the "catalyst" that helped turn the team's fortunes around.

The White Sox's selection of Roch Cholowsky in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft marked a new era for the team. Cholowsky is the first player to be selected by the White Sox with the first pick in the draft since 1977.

The list of No. 1 draft picks made by Chicago's pro teams is a long and storied one. From Tom Harmon to Caleb Williams, each player has brought their own unique story to the table. As the city's pro teams continue to select talented athletes, it will be interesting to see how they fare in the years to come.

The full list of No. 1 draft picks made by Chicago's pro teams since 1940:

* Tom Harmon (1940) * Bob Fenimore (1946) * Caleb Williams (2024) * Roch Cholowsky (2026)

The list is a testament to the city's rich history of producing talented athletes. As the years go by, it will be exciting to see who the next No. 1 draft pick will be.

The Chicago White Sox secured the first pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft by winning the league's lottery at their annual winter meetings. This marked the first time in 49 years that the team had the first pick.