Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard reportedly won’t play for Canada in world championships to focus on health

CHICAGO — Chicago Blackhawks star center Connor Bedard reportedly will opt out of playing for Canada in the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship this month. Bedard instead will use the time to nurse injuries suffered in the 2025-26 NHL season. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman first reported the news. Bedard suffered a separated shoulder Dec. 12 in the final second of a 3-2 loss in St. Louis in …