Blackhawks Medical Team Has Confirmed the length of Connor Bedard’s Injury
Connor Bedard wrapped up his 2023-24 season with the Blackhawks on April 18 in Los Angeles. Despite a promising start, the game took an unexpected turn when the Kings’ Adrian Kempe scored just 6 seconds into overtime, sealing a 5-4 victory and denying Bedard the chance for a flashy finish.
On the ice for the 3-on-3 overtime were Bedard, alongside fellow rookie defenseman Kevin Korchinski, and regular linemate Philipp Kurashev. The abrupt conclusion left Bedard and his teammates disappointed, but their focus quickly shifted to upcoming events.
The next time fans will see Bedard in action will be during practice with Team Canada for the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Czechia. Scheduled to begin on May 10, the 16-team tournament will kick off with Canada facing Great Britain on May 11 in Prague.
Although Bedard’s NHL season has come to an end, it’s unlikely that he’ll remain off the ice for long. Despite facing surgery on January 8 to repair a broken jaw, Bedard demonstrated his resilience by returning to the Fifth Third Arena just a week later. Despite wearing a green no-contact jersey and a full facial shield, Bedard was back on the ice, eager to continue his training.
Reflecting on his recovery process, Bedard acknowledged the challenges but remained optimistic about his readiness for the World Championship. “I mean I had a lot of quarantines during COVID, but that’s not my choice,” Bedard remarked. “Maybe a week or a little more than that. Not too long usually.”
Despite the setbacks and obstacles he faced throughout the season, Bedard remains confident in his abilities and is eager to represent his country on the international stage. With a successful rookie NHL season under his belt, Bedard looks forward to showcasing his skills and contributing to Team Canada’s pursuit of victory at the World Championship.