In a move that will disappoint hockey fans across Canada, superstar forward Connor Bedard will not suit up for Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. The news broke Friday morning from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, who reported that Bedard's priority remains recovering from a shoulder injury sustained on December 12, 2025, against the St. Louis Blues.

Bedard, who has never represented Canada at the World Championships, was eager to finally wear the maple leaf on the international stage. However, team and medical staff advised that the best course for his long-term health and the upcoming NHL season was to continue his rehab and skip the event. It's a tough but smart call—one that prioritizes the bigger picture.

This isn't the first time Bedard has chosen rest over competition. Last year, he passed on the 2025 World Championships to focus on his offseason training, and that decision paid off in a big way. The 20-year-old returned to the ice noticeably faster, more well-rounded, and even scrappier, earning his first 30-goal, 75-point NHL season before the injury sidelined him for 13 games.

While Bedard recovers, a few of his Chicago Blackhawks teammates—including Oliver Moore, Anton Frondell, and Wyatt Kaiser—are expected to represent their countries at the tournament, which runs from May 15-31. Moore is slated to play for Team USA, and he's already been spotted training with Bedard down in Florida, where young fans even left the duo a playful message: "Now you have our autographs!"

For now, Bedard's focus is on getting back to 100% for next season. And if history is any guide, that extra rest could make all the difference.