The path to the Olympic podium for Canadian hockey phenom Connor Bedard has encountered a significant and untimely obstacle. The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Monday that their franchise centre has been placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury, a development that severely complicates his bid to represent Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy.
Injury Details and Timeline
The setback occurred in dramatic fashion during the final second of a game against the St. Louis Blues on Friday, December 12th. Bedard was injured while taking a critical offensive-zone faceoff, attempting to win a draw to create a last-gasp scoring chance while trailing 3-2. He was knocked backwards to the ice by Blues centre Brayden Schenn as time expired.
Video showed the 20-year-old immediately clutching his right shoulder before heading to the dressing room with a trainer. Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill characterized the incident as a "freak accident" and stated he did not believe Schenn's play was dirty. The IR placement is retroactive to December 12th, making Bedard eligible to return no sooner than December 19th.
However, Blashill provided a sobering update on the recovery timeline, dashing hopes of a quick return. "He wants to be back next week. That's the approach that he takes," Blashill told reporters, including Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times. "He would've preferred I had said 'day-to-day.' But … the reality is we won't let him do that before after the New Year." The coach confirmed the injury will not require surgery.
Olympic Roster Clock is Ticking
The timing of this injury could not be worse for Bedard's Olympic aspirations. Team Canada's management group, led by general manager Doug Armstrong, faces a firm deadline of December 31st to finalize its roster for the 2026 Games, which mark the return of NHL players after absences in 2018 and 2022.
Just earlier this month, Armstrong had spoken highly of Bedard and other young players vying for spots. "They've done everything we've asked them to do," Armstrong told NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger. "There are a young group of players who certainly have done that."
Bedard had forcefully played his way into the conversation for the star-studded Canadian team. Before the injury, his statistical case was compelling: he ranked fourth in the NHL with 44 points and was tied for fifth with 19 goals in just 31 games, putting him on pace to shatter his rookie-season totals.
Impact on Blackhawks and What's Next
The Blackhawks, already navigating a challenging season, will now be without their best player for a minimum of seven games. He missed a 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday and will be absent for upcoming contests, including a Tuesday night matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In corresponding roster moves, Chicago recalled defenceman Ethan Del Mastro and goaltender Laurent Brossoit from their AHL affiliate in Rockford. The team will have to find a way to generate offence without their dynamic centre, who has been the focal point of their attack.
For Connor Bedard, the coming weeks will be a test of patience and rehabilitation. While his competitive fire burns to return immediately, the prudent course for his long-term health and career will keep him sidelined. The major question now hanging over Canadian hockey is whether his brilliant first few months of the 2025-26 season were enough to convince Team Canada's brass to save a spot for him, despite his uncertain availability when the final roster decisions are made.
