Canadian player named to Olympic roster suffers concerning injury and Connor Bedard is the next man up

Hockey Canada's Milano Cortina 2026 roster hit on Wednesday, and Bedard wasn't on it.

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill didn't hide his true feelings on the matter.

Bedard is also hurt right now. He has been out since Dec. 12 with an upper body injury, still leading Chicago with 44 points in 31 games on a poorly structured roster.

Horvat is on the roster, and he got the nod on production. He has 21 goals and 33 points this season, and Canada even leaned on his faceoff work in its public reasoning.

Horvat already missed time with a lower body issue in December and only recently worked his way back.

That is why Bedard's «snub» is not really a final chapter; it is more like a pause.

Olympic rosters always need contingency names, especially at center, and Canada's depth chart is stacked but not invincible.

If Horvat is out long-term, the replacement instantly turns to Bedard.

NEW: Connor Bedard just found out the real reason for his Team Canada Olympic snub

For Bedard, the path back starts with getting healthy, then reminding everyone how quickly he can tilt a game off the rush. For Canada, the next milestone is simple, find Horvat a replacement, cough... Connor Bedard, if things turn sour, which we hope not for the sake of the Islanders forward.