An offseason injury means Connor Bedard’s regular season won’t start on time.
The Chicago Blackhawks announced Wednesday that the 20-year-old centre had undergone successful surgery to repair his left shoulder and is expected to recover in four months.
The first overall selection of the 2023 NHL Draft, video spread on social media last week of Bedard in an offseason on-ice workout. The Vancouver native could be seen tumbling into the boards before clutching his shoulder and hurrying off the ice.
Bedard appeared in 69 games this past season, notching 30 goals for the first time in his career and adding 45 assists, another career high. He missed 12 games last season with an injury to his right shoulder.
The 2024 Calder Trophy winner as the league’s top rookie, Bedard has 75 goals and 128 assists in 219 career games over three seasons.
