Bedard’s Road to Recovery by Novella DeGraaf
Recently this year, January 5, 2024, NHL’s number one pick in the draft and rookie of the year, Connor Bedard, sustained an almost fatal injury. In the Chicago Blackhawks v New Jersey Devils game, Bedard took a violent hit from the New Jersey Devils Brendan Smith. He sustained a fractured jaw in the early minutes of the first period, having to leave the ice immediately.
Connor Bedard had been playing hockey from a very young age. When he was only 15 he was accepted into the WHL, being the seventh player to do so in Canadian hockey history. He then went along and became the highest producing WHL player in 20+ years! He made many record breaking achievements, especially for his age in the WHL. After a while he had caught the eyes of many, but most of all, the NHL. He was given very high expectations coming into the NHL as the number one top pic in the draft. Getting put on the Chicago Blackhawks at only 18, Bedard is one of the youngest rookies to enter the league. Bedard is looked upon by many and has a promising future coming into the NHL. He is currently carrying the Blackhawks and all NHL rookies in the league with 33 points so far this season; however, it’s never this easy for a star player, there will always be setbacks.
When the accident occurred, the NHL community was in shock. With a good season going for Bedard, this was a huge complication in his career. The injury itself was only a jaw fracture, however, it was enough to put him out of playing for up to 6 weeks! He has been diligently working to try and recover faster and be there for his team. He has been working in the weight room, and this past Monday in the rink,his first time on the ice since fracturing his jaw. He was working at the Blackhawks practice facility with some other players itching to get back in the swing of things. Wearing a full face shield, he continued to do some light shooting to make sure the injury did not worsen.
His recovery has been slow and steady and many are patiently anticipating his arrival back into the season. Once he gets back, he’ll be fresh and ready to go do his best once again.
Connor Bedard had been playing hockey from a very young age. When he was only 15 he was accepted into the WHL, being the seventh player to do so in Canadian hockey history. He then went along and became the highest producing WHL player in 20+ years! He made many record breaking achievements, especially for his age in the WHL. After a while he had caught the eyes of many, but most of all, the NHL. He was given very high expectations coming into the NHL as the number one top pic in the draft. Getting put on the Chicago Blackhawks at only 18, Bedard is one of the youngest rookies to enter the league. Bedard is looked upon by many and has a promising future coming into the NHL. He is currently carrying the Blackhawks and all NHL rookies in the league with 33 points so far this season; however, it’s never this easy for a star player, there will always be setbacks.
When the accident occurred, the NHL community was in shock. With a good season going for Bedard, this was a huge complication in his career. The injury itself was only a jaw fracture, however, it was enough to put him out of playing for up to 6 weeks! He has been diligently working to try and recover faster and be there for his team. He has been working in the weight room, and this past Monday in the rink,his first time on the ice since fracturing his jaw. He was working at the Blackhawks practice facility with some other players itching to get back in the swing of things. Wearing a full face shield, he continued to do some light shooting to make sure the injury did not worsen.
His recovery has been slow and steady and many are patiently anticipating his arrival back into the season. Once he gets back, he’ll be fresh and ready to go do his best once again.