Terrible news for Chicago Blackhawks power forward Kirby Dach who exited Canada’s 1-0 pre-tournament victory over Russia in the third period Wednesday night at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship tournament after suffering right wrist injury.
Dach was injured on a seemingly harmless body check in the neutral zone. You can see in the below video that after the hit, Dach removed his off his mitt ad jetted off the ice and down the tunnel to be examined.
Team Canada officials are tight lipped right now and are not providing exact details on Dach’s injury. Dach was forced to leave the Edmonton bubble to seek X-rays.
The third overall pick last year, Dach had eight goals and 15 assists in 64 games last season for Chicago.
Canada is set to open the tournament Saturday against Germany.
With Dach out of the tourney, it's time for Canada to appoint a new team captain. I nominate Buffalo Sabres (2019 first round) center Dylan Cozens to fill the team leader role. Last week, Cozens was selected as an alternate captain with Bo Byram. Cozens was a difference maker for Team Canada's 2020 World Juniors gold medal winning team.
Cozens has oodles of leadership qualities and is the captain of the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Terrible news for Team Canada as @kdach77
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) December 24, 2020
has left the WJC bubble with a wrist injury. Next man up to be captain @Dylan_Cozens who is the captain of @WHLHurricanes #Sabres pic.twitter.com/FSyy8FSF7r
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We're ready to go! 😤
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 24, 2020
Get more info about the 2020-21 season: https://t.co/4I0tAkZ2eI pic.twitter.com/hRvhawqRck
By virtue of being division mates with Flyers, Pens, Caps @BuffaloSabres will play many times on @NHLonNBCSports this season. Royal 📄 blue sweaters will look sick in High Def! #Sabres #RoyalRumble #Playoffs âš”ï¸ https://t.co/CAiP5nNano
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) December 24, 2020