By The Canadian Press

Connor Bedard sidelined as Chicago Blackhawks place star on injured reserve

Dec 15, 2025 | 8:16 AM

CHICAGO — Connor Bedard’s Olympic hopes took a potential hit Monday when the Chicago Blackhawks placed him on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.

The move is retroactive to Dec. 12 following an injury sustained with one second left in Friday’s 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said Monday that the 20-year-old centre will be re-evaluated in the new year, and no surgery is required.

The Blackhawks have seven games left in 2025.

Bedard was hurt when he attempted to win a draw to give his team one last chance, but was knocked down by Blues centre Brayden Schenn.

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Bedard grasped at his right shoulder and immediately headed to the locker room, accompanied by a trainer.

Blashill said after the game that he didn’t think anything dirty occurred on the play.

“Honestly, I think it’s a freak accident,” Blashill said.

Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 44 points in 31 games, fourth in the NHL.

The former No. 1 draft pick is a potential candidate for Team Canada at the Milan Cortina Games.

Chicago opens a three-game road trip Tuesday at Toronto.

The Blackhawks also recalled defenceman Ethan Del Mastro and goaltender Laurent Brossoit from Rockford of the American Hockey League. Brossoit had been in the minors on a conditioning assignment.

Del Mastro, 22, has two goals and four assists in 27 career games with Chicago.

–With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2025.

The Canadian Press