BURNABY, B.C. — Chicago Blackhawks player Connor Bedard underwent left shoulder surgery on July 8, 2026. The Blackhawks announced Bedard is expected to be out until at least November, ruling him out for at least four months.

Bedard sustained the injury on July 3, 2026, during an offseason training session at Scotia Barn in Burnaby, B.C. A video from the session showed Bedard losing his balance and falling into the boards, after which he skated off holding his left shoulder. Zach Benson, Arshdeep Bains, and Luca Cagnoni were on the ice during the training session.

The recovery timeline means Bedard will miss all of training camp and the first month of the 2026-27 NHL season. Bedard, who is 20 years old, is expected to make a full recovery, according to Chicago Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry.

This is Bedard's second shoulder injury in under a year. In December 2025, he injured his right shoulder during a faceoff against the St. Louis Blues. That injury cost him four weeks, and he did not take faceoffs again until late February. Bedard elected not to undergo surgery for the right shoulder injury.

Bedard was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2023. He won the 2023-24 Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year. Last season, Bedard led the Blackhawks with 75 points and was second with 30 goals, both career highs. He leads all 2023 NHL draftees with 75 goals and 203 points over three seasons. Bedard is currently a restricted free agent and has been in contract negotiations with the Chicago Blackhawks.