Chicago Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill criticizes Team Canada brutally for leaving Connor Bedard off Olympic roster

Connor Bedard was off to a blazing start with the Chicago Blackhawks, tallying 44 points in 31 games, leading many to expect he’d make Team Canada’s Olympic roster.

A fluke injury on December 12 sidelined him until the new year, and on Wednesday, Canada revealed a roster that didn’t include the 20-year-old phenom.

Team Canada GM Doug Armstrong downplayed the role of Bedard’s injury in the decision: “Not a lot, quite honestly. His name was right there till the last second… we just had difficult decisions to make,” citing the depth of talent available.

However, Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill didn’t hold back when discussing the snub, telling Ben Pope, “I don’t think the rest of the league knows how good of a two-way, winning hockey player Connor has become… they don’t fully understand how impactful he is today.” Blashill highlighted Chicago’s struggles without Bedard—1-6-1 since his injury—as proof of his importance, noting, “You only have that impact if you’re a true two-way winning player, and that’s what he’s become.”

While Bedard could still join the Olympics as an injury replacement, Blashill stressed that the hockey world doesn’t yet fully appreciate the young superstar’s contributions on both ends of the ice.