Connor Bedard Declines World Championship

Connor Bedard won't play for Canada at the IIHF World Championship due to a shoulder injury.

What happened?

The Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard suffered a shoulder injury on December 12 last year, causing him to miss 12 games in the 2026 NHL season. He played 69 games with 30 goals and 75 points, including 19 goals and 25 assists in his first 31 games pre-injury.

Why it matters for Connor Bedard

Bedard's decision to decline the national team is based on his health, as he wants to ensure his shoulder is fully rehabbed before next season. He claimed it's hard to say no to the national team, but his priority is getting his strength back. The 20-year-old produced at a high level despite the setback, with 11 goals and 20 assists in his final 38 games.

What comes next?

The Blackhawks have missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, and Bedard's fitness will be crucial to their performance next campaign. Bedard spoke to The Athletic, revealing his thought process behind the decision to pull out of the World Championship. He wants to take a week or more to feel pretty good and talk to doctors about rehabbing his shoulder. And then after the Olympic break, he thought he played his best hockey up until maybe 10 games left. The Blackhawks' performance will depend on Bedard's health, and his decision to focus on rehab will be closely watched. So the upcoming season will be important for both Bedard and the Blackhawks. But for now, Bedard's focus is on getting his shoulder strength back, and he's willing to take the time needed to achieve that.