In today’s world, there is sometimes a huge distinction between reality and social media, and the Chicago Blackhawks are very well aware of this. In the most recent trend to hit social media, some wonder why Connor Bedard does not wear some protective device and continue playing, much like Bobby Hull did in 1968 when he also suffered a fractured jaw.
This also came with reports and pictures of Bedard taking to the ice on Sunday (Jan 21), just one week after having surgery on his jaw. This led to the comments about Bedard following Hull’s route and returning to action immediately. These comments are easily dismissed as the social media craziness of people posting things and not realizing the differences between the NHL in 1968 and 2024. But as you think about the scenario, it does lead one to wonder what the thought process is and what the treatment for Bedard is as he recovers from his surgery.
It would be a good guess that if it were up to Bedard, he would be playing. Coaches, trainers, and teammates have already joked about how difficult keeping him off the ice has been. It might be wise for Bedard to consider what Hull went through back in 1968 while also assessing what the first-round pick will be doing as he recovers from his injury.
Hull Returned After Missing One Game
Hull had his jaw broken on Christmas day in 1968 when he was hit by an elbow from the Toronto Maple Leafs Mike Pelyk. He missed one game, then played six weeks with his jaw wired shut, using a crudely constructed helmet that had a football facemask attached. His doctor-approved treatment and subsequent nutrition plan was something that Hull called “brownish ugh” and consisted of three-fourths of a pound of ground beef, a cup of half-and-half, a can of barley soup, and half a cup of milk. All of this points out the fact that this was way before the development of a variety of helmets, which were not mandatory at that time, and the ability to get pre-packaged protein drinks.
About 12 years ago, I had a chance to meet Hull at a fundraiser. We were chatting about how the game is different today, including the medical knowledge of injuries that is known now, compared to when he played. Hull did tell us, “If I knew what everyone knows about injuries today, I probably would have made some different choices back then.” Part of the decision-making process of players of that era was partly based on their rough-and-tumble mindset, along with the…
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