Connor Bedard’s Olympic hopes took a potential hit Monday when Chicago placed the young NHL star 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.
The 20-year-old centre from North Vancouver, B.C., was hurt on a faceoff and left the ice, appearing to clutch his right shoulder.
Bedard leads Chicago with 44 points in 31 games, fourth in the NHL.
The 2023 No. 1 draft pick is a potential candidate for Canada at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
No surgery required at this time, Blashill added later.
Chicago 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 six points in 27 career games with Chicago, which opens a three-game road trip Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Could Bedard, Celebrini or Schaefer make Canada’s Olympic roster?
