Blackhawks’ Bedard out for up to two months after jaw surgery

Connor Bedard’s rookie season is on hold, possibly for up to two months.

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Wednesday that Bedard – the former Regina Pats star who was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL draft – will be out of the lineup for six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his fractured jaw.

If he does miss eight weeks, Chicago would have around 20 games left in its regular season when he returns. Bedard had appeared in the Blackhawks’ first 39 games of this season.

The injury also will keep him from playing in the NHL all-star game. Last week, he became the youngest player in league history to be selected to the all-star game.

Bedard was hurt on Friday when he was hit by New Jersey Devils defenceman Brendan Smith midway through the first period of Chicago’s 4-2 loss. Bedard had just crossed the Devils’ blue line with the puck when he was flattened by Smith.

At the time of his injury, Bedard – an 18-year-old from North Vancouver, B.C. – was leading the Blackhawks and all NHL rookies this season in goals (15), assists (18) and points (33). He was named the NHL’s rookie of the month in both November and December.

In 2022–23, his final season with the WHL’s Pats, Bedard led the CHL in goals (71), points (143), goals per game (1.24) and points per game (2.51) during the regular season, and finished tied for fifth in assists (72).

He had the longest point-scoring streak in the CHL that season, recording 44 goals and 46 assists during a 35-game string.

The first player granted exceptional status in the WHL, Bedard was also the first player to put up 140 or more points in a regular season in 27 years en route to being named the WHL’s most valuable player. He also was named the CHL’s player of the year.

In 134 career regular-season games with the Pats, Bedard recorded 134 goals and 271 points.

After being the first pick in the 2020 bantam draft, he was named the WHL’s rookie of the year in his first season with Regina.

In 2023, he was named the MVP of the world junior hockey championship after setting numerous Canadian and tournament scoring records while helping Canada win its second straight gold medal.

Chicago subsequently made him the first pick in the draft; he was the first Pats player to go No. 1 since Doug Wickenheiser was the top pick by the Montreal Canadiens in 1980.