The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Wednesday that Connor Bedard will miss the next six to eight weeks of the season following surgery on his fractured jaw.
Bedard was injured in the Chicago match with the New Jersey Devils on 5 January.
“He’ll have protection on for a while once he comes back but he’s a guy that’s probably already talking about trying to get on the ice,” Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said. “He’s the type of guy who wants back out there. Once something like that heals enough, he’ll be out on the ice skating. He just won’t be able to take contact for a while.”
Bedard was injured early in the match with New Jersey when Brendan Smith met him at the blue with a shoulder check.
Richardson, who also suffered a fractured jaw in his career, offered a comment on the near future.
“I think I missed about five, 5 1/2 weeks, then I had to play with a face shield for a couple of more weeks after that, maybe a month,” Richardson said. “That first game back, when you get a whack and it’s a little numb, you’re a little bit shocked for a second and stop and check it, but you’re fine. The body’s pretty resilient. This is probably going to be one of his first full injuries. It may take him a little bit to feel comfortable when he gets back and trust that.”
The Blackhawks have been bitten by the injury bug this season.
Nick Foligno was also placed on injured reserve with a fractured finger following a fight.
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