Bedard on injured reserve with fractured jaw

Chicago Blackhawks rookie sensation Connor Bedard has been placed on injured reserve due to a fractured jaw, the team announced Saturday.

Head coach Luke Richardson said there's no firm timeline for Bedard's return, according to NBC Chicago's Charlie Roumeliotis.

Bedard was injured in the first period of Friday's loss to the New Jersey Devils after a hit from Brendan Smith. He didn't play another shift after the collision.

NOBODY TOUCHES BEDARD pic.twitter.com/wX8wgRC7kS

- Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) January 6, 2024

Several Blackhawks came to Bedard's defense, including veteran Nick Foligno, who also landed on IR with a fractured finger following a fight against Smith.

Chicago forward Boris Katchouk called the hit dirty after the game, but Richardson didn't see any malicious intent from the Devils defender.

Bedard has lived up to the hype of being last year's No. 1 overall pick, leading all rookies with 15 goals and 33 points in 39 games - numbers that also pace the Blackhawks.

The 18-year-old was chosen as Chicago's lone All-Star Game representative earlier this week, but the injury puts his status in jeopardy as festivities are scheduled for Feb. 1-3 in Toronto.

The Blackhawks, who now have nine players on IR, are currently 31st in the league standings at 11-26-2 and have lost five in a row heading into Sunday's matinee against the Calgary Flames.

Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.