Chicago Blackhawks’ promising youngster Connor Bedard is back on ice after suffering an injury but he’s practicing in a No Contact jersey. Connor Bedard is set to miss several weeks due to a fractured jaw which he sustained on January 5.
Bedard sustained the injury when New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith checked him in the slot in the first period of Chicago’s 4-2 loss. The 18-year-old prodigy left the ice with his hand at his mouth. However, he was back skating and shooting light on January 16 while wearing a full face shield.
The rookie center had resumed skating less than a week ago. Connor Bedard, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft was hopeful of facing his hometown Vancouver Canucks on Monday, when the Blackhawks lost 2-0. After the defeat it was noted that Conor Bedard wasn’t close to returning.
What is No Contact Jersey?
As Conor Bedard was spotted in a No Contact Jersey, you might wonder what it means. As the name suggests, if a player wears that jersey, it typically means that this player is not to be hit, as in no contact and this is worn during practice sessions.
I’m sure Connor Bedard is itching to get going again but he’s still wearing a non-contact jersey. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/GXQDEvOH6b
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 5, 2024
Connor Bedard currently leads the Blackhawks and all NHL rookies with 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists) in 39 games. He was recently named to the 2024 Honda (U.S.)/ Rogers (Canada) NHL All-Star Game, which was on February 3 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, four weeks after he was injured.
Chicago Blackhawks coach comments on Connor Bedard’s injury
Last month, Chicago Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson stated that Bedard isn’t close to returning.
“It was 6-8 weeks at the beginning was what was said so like I don’t know; you’re never going to know, but talk to me in a month,” he said. “He’s not going to be the back by then. There’s no change; it’s the same so I don’t know, six weeks from the start or from now, it’s still in between the timeline.
“He [isn’t] coming back next week, which would be great, but it’s not about him wanting to or not. It’s just about the medical side of things and the doctors will let us know when he’s ready to come back.”
The Blackhawks (14-31-2) are 3-5-0 without Bedard and last in the Central Division.
