Connor Bedard Addresses Decision to Skip 2026 World Championship
The Chicago Blackhawks have failed to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, with forward Connor Bedard leading the team but still waiting to play postseason hockey.
With the 2025-26 season in the rearview mirror, the expectation was for Bedard to play for Team Canada at the upcoming IIHF World Championship, an international tournament that takes place yearly during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Friday that Bedard will skip this year's Worlds because of a nagging shoulder injury that he played through throughout the season.
In an interview with The Athletic published on Saturday, Bedard revealed the reasons behind his decision to skip the tournament and decline Canada's invitation.
"Kind of seeing obviously how your body's feeling after the season and take a week or whatever," Bedard said. "I feel pretty good for the most part. I think just talking to doctors and stuff and obviously given the injury I had, just a little more time to rehab."
The 20-year-old suffered a shoulder injury on Dec. 12 and missed nearly a month of play, returning on Jan. 9 while requiring careful management after that, spending a full month without taking a single faceoff.
Bedard emphasized that his focus is not about healing, per se, but rather strengthening the shoulder ahead of next season.
"I wouldn't say heal, but kind of rehab and get that strength and stuff would be beneficial," Bedard said. "It's kind of a big thought process behind it."
Connor Bedard explains his decision not to play for Team Canada at the Worlds after his Blackhawks' season https://t.co/OnImiDFe2e
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) May 2, 2026
Wanting to play for Canada at the Worlds after not making the 2026 Olympics roster, Bedard acknowledged how hard it was for him to turn the invite down.
"When you get the opportunity (to play for Canada), it's hard to say no," Bedard said. "Like, it's May 1 and I already miss playing hockey games."
Bedard, however, sent a promising message to the Blackhawks faithful by revealing his offseason priorities.
"At the end of the day, my number one focus is the Blackhawks and being the best player I can be come October or whatever the season starts. I feel like this is going to be beneficial to me in that way."
Bedard finished the season with 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 69 games, setting career highs across the board despite the injury and missing 13 matches over the year.
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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 12:14 PM.