Connor Bedard Sidelined with Injury, Misses IIHF World Championships

Connor Bedard won't play for Canada at the IIHF World Championships. The Chicago Blackhawks center was forced to miss 12 games due to a shoulder injury.

What happened to Connor Bedard?

Bedard hurt his shoulder on a faceoff midway through the NHL season. He came back to play but wasn't fully healthy.

The injury was a significant setback for Bedard, who had been looking forward to representing Canada at the IIHF World Championships. On Friday, it was announced that he would not be participating in the event.

Why isn't Connor Bedard playing at IIHF Worlds?

According to Elliotte Friedman, NHL insider, Bedard was told that rehabbing his injury and skipping the event was the best decision for next season. Friedman reported this on X on Friday morning.

So, Bedard will have to wait for another opportunity to represent his country on a big stage. The Blackhawks will likely want their young star to heal up before the 2026-27 season.

What's next for Connor Bedard?

Bedard will focus on rehabbing his shoulder injury. The decision to skip the IIHF World Championships will give him time to recover and prepare for the upcoming NHL season.

The Chicago Blackhawks will hope for an improved season in 2026-27. Bedard's health will be crucial to the team's success. On paper, it seems like Bedard could have kept playing through the injury, but the team wants him to be fully healthy.

And, for now, Bedard will miss out on another big stage for Team Canada. He will have to be patient and wait for his big chance to represent his country, which will arrive down the line. The IIHF World Championships will take place without one of Canada's best young players.

The news came out on Friday, and it's a bummer for Bedard, who had likely been looking forward to this summer's event. The Blackhawks center just missed out on making the Olympic team, which made the IIHF World Championships an even more anticipated event for him.