Blackhawks' Connor Bedard out at least 4 months after undergoing shoulder surgery
Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard is out until at least November after undergoing left shoulder surgery, the team announced on Wednesday. According to team physician Dr. Michael Terry, the 20-year-old is expected to make a full recovery.
Bedard, the 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick, was injured after an awkward fall near the boards during an offseason training session last week at Scotia Barn in Burnaby, B.C.
I have video of Connor Bedard leaving practice today with a left shoulder injury, as first reported by @RyanmcgregorCHI. You can hear him in severe pain as he leaves the ice: pic.twitter.com/MySM1UwLht
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) July 2, 2026
The four-month recovery time would rule Bedard out for all of training camp and the first month of the 2026-27 NHL season. In the meantime, the 2023-24 Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year is a restricted free agent and has been in negotiations with the Blackhawks over a new deal.
It is the second shoulder injury suffered by Bedard in the past year. He injured his right shoulder in December during a faceoff against the St. Louis Blues. That cost him four weeks and he did not take faceoffs for the Blackhawks again until late February.
Last season, Bedard led the Blackhawks with 75 points and was second on the team with 30 goals — both career highs. In three seasons since entering the NHL he leads all 2023 draftees with 75 goals and 203 points.
