Connor Bedard Has Been Replaced By An Unexpected Choice For The All-Star Game

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Hunter Bowman
January 7, 2024 (7:50 PM)

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NHL fans were eager to catch Connor Bedard in action at the All-Star game, given his exciting rookie performance this season. Unfortunately, his plans took a hit when he suffered a fractured jaw during a game against the New Jersey Devils, ruling him out of the upcoming event.

Bedard's injury occurred on a hit by Brendan Smith, leaving the 18-year-old sidelined. Blackhawks Head Coach Luke Richardson shared that there's no set timeline for his return, emphasizing the need to let the swelling subside before a more thorough assessment.

According to Richardson,

"No. Still just evaluating how he's doing and settling down. It's swollen, so the doctors are giving it a few days to see how it settles."

With the All-Star game approaching, it seems likely that Bedard will miss the event regardless of his recovery progress. Consequently, the NHL had to find a replacement, and the unexpected choice turned out to be Jason Dickinson.

At 28 years old, Dickinson may not be a household name, having spent most of his career in lower-profile roles. However, this season with the Blackhawks, he's made a mark with a notable offensive surge. Playing in his 400th career game, Dickinson has notched 13 goals and 19 points in 39 games, stepping up in a team lacking forward talent.