Title: Chicago Blackhawks Rookie Connor Bedard to Miss NHL All-Star Game Due to Jaw Surgery
Chicago Blackhawks’ rising star, Connor Bedard, will be absent from the upcoming NHL All-Star Game in Toronto as he recovers from surgery to repair a broken jaw. The team revealed on Wednesday that the 18-year-old will be sidelined for six to eight weeks, dashing the hopes of him becoming the youngest player in the All-Star Game’s history.
Bedard, who had recently been named to the All-Star team, was on track to break the record set by former Carolina Hurricanes winger Jeff Skinner in 2011. However, an unfortunate open-ice hit by New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith during a game last Friday led to Bedard’s injury. In response to the hit, Bedard’s teammate Nick Foligno engaged in a fight with Smith, resulting in Foligno fracturing a finger and being placed on injured reserve.
Expressing dissatisfaction with Smith’s hit, Boris Katchouk stated, “I mean, everybody saw it. It’s dirty, so. I think it was dirty.”
Despite the setback, Bedard has been living up to the hype in his rookie season, leading the Blackhawks with an impressive 33 points, comprising 15 goals and 18 assists. His remarkable performance makes him one of only six 18-year-olds in the last 30 years to achieve at least 30 points in their first 39 career games.
Despite Bedard’s individual success, the Blackhawks continue to struggle, maintaining the second-worst record in the Western Conference. While fans will miss seeing Bedard in the All-Star Game, they hope for a swift recovery for the talented rookie as the Blackhawks strive to improve their standing in the league.