Chicago Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard left Friday’s game against the New Jersey Devils with an injury after taking an open-ice hit and will not return, the team announced at the start of the second period.
Bedard was trying to stickhandle into the Devils’ zone midway through the first period when defenceman Brendan Smith came up high on Bedard, his shoulder appearing to make contact with the rookie’s mouth. He was able to skate off the ice on his own, but made his way to the locker-room shortly after.
A near-consensus favourite for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie, the 18-year-old Bedard was named as Chicago’s representative to the All-Star Game on Thursday. Leading all rookies, Bedard has 15 goals and 33 points in 38 games this season.
The North Vancouver, B.C. native was selected first-overall by the Blackhawks at the 2023 NHL Draft.
