Dec 15, 2025, 11:52 AM ET
CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks placed Connor Bedard on injured reserve on Monday with an upper-body injury.
Bedard got hurt in the final seconds of Friday night’s 3-2 loss at St. Louis. The 20-year-old center attempted to win a draw to give his team one last chance, but he was knocked down by Blues center Brayden Schenn. He grasped at his right shoulder and immediately headed to the locker room, accompanied by a trainer.
Bedard’s upper-body injury is considered week-to-week — although Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill noted that the forward wanted to get back as soon as next week.
The Blackhawks decided on at least a two-week shutdown to see how Bedard responds to rehab. Bedard will get re-evaluated in early January. He’s not considering surgery at this time.
Bedard has a team-high 19 goals and 25 assists in 31 games.
He has handled the injury well, but it comes at an unfortunate time. Olympic rosters are due on Dec. 31 and Bedard was one of several forwards still on Team Canada’s bubble in the final month of evaluation.
Without Bedard to rely on offensively, the Blackhawks are focusing on tightening their defensive game as they begin their road trip this week.
Chicago recalled defenseman Ethan Del Mastro and goaltender Laurent Brossoit from Rockford of the American Hockey League. Brossoit had been in the minors on a conditioning assignment.
The Blackhawks play the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game road trip.
Del Mastro, 22, has two goals and four assists in 27 career games with Chicago.
Information from ESPN’s Emily Kaplan and The Associated Press was used in this report.