How did Connor Bedard break his jaw

Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks' rookie sensation and 2023 NHL No. 1 draft pick, suffered a broken jaw on January 5, 2024. The injury happened during a power play against the New Jersey Devils when defenseman Brendan Smith delivered a shoulder check. Bedard felt the impact immediately and left the game at 9:11 of the first period. This moment shocked hockey fans everywhere. So here's exactly how did Connor Bedard break his jaw and what happened next.

The hit that changed everything

Bedard was stick-handling into the offensive zone when Smith delivered the shoulder check. The hit itself wasn't especially hard, according to Bedard himself. But the placement and timing were brutal (pretty much perfect for causing damage, actually). His jaw fractured on contact. He grabbed his face and skated to the bench, clearly in pain. Doctors confirmed a fractured jaw that would require surgery. What seemed like a routine play turned into a season-altering moment for the young star.

Surgery and recovery

Three days after the hit, Bedard underwent surgery to repair the fractured jaw. The recovery process went surprisingly smoothly. Six weeks later, he returned to the lineup with zero hesitation. Fans worried about rust and preformance issues. Instead, Bedard jumped right back into his rhythm. He played significant minutes and contributed points immediately. His comeback proved his mental toughness and physical resilience.

The cost to the Blackhawks

Before the injury, Bedard was putting up impressive rookie numbers. He had 15 goals and 18 assists in just 39 games. The Blackhawks selected him for the 2024 NHL All-Star Game as the youngest player ever. His absence created a massive scoring gap during a critical stretch of the season. The team struggled to find chemistry without their best rookie. Every team in the league felt the impact of losing such a young, talented player, honestly.

Why this injury mattered

Bedard's broken jaw highlighted the physical dangers young players face in professional hockey. High-profile rookies carry their teams' scoring loads and get targeted on the ice. This incident reminded everyone that even the most talented prospects aren't immune to injuries. The Blackhawks had to adjust their entire offensive strategy during his recovery. Fans watched anxiously, hoping their promising rookie would return healthy. When he did, Chicago's offense got back on track.

Bedard's story shows both the fragility and resilience of NHL players. One hit changed everything temporarily, but his determination brought him back strong.