Connor Bedard To Skip 2026 World Championship To Rehab Shoulder

Overview

• Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that Bedard will not join Team Canada at the May 15–31 IIHF World Championship, with multiple outlets confirming the decision.
• Bedard is continuing rehab for a shoulder injury suffered Dec. 12, 2025, on a faceoff against St. Louis, which cost him about 12 games before he returned.
• Canada heads to Switzerland for games in Zurich and Fribourg without one of its most dynamic young scorers, reducing its top-end offense.
• Despite the setback, Bedard posted 30 goals and 75 points in 69 games and earned an alternate captain role in March under coach Jeff Blashill.
• The choice follows a recent pattern of skipping summer international play to focus on offseason work, signaling a plan to be fully ready for the 2026–27 NHL season.