Kirby Dach is only 22 years old, but his injury history over the last few years is cause for concern.
Since entering the National League in 2019 with the Blackhawks, the forward has played in 212 of a possible 292 games, a rate of 72.6%.
However, if Dach were to miss the remainder of the year due to the knee injury he suffered on Saturday, that percentage would drop dramatically to 57%.
A look back at Kirby Dach’s injury history.
September 10, 2019: Concussion
In his first camp with the Blackhawks, Dach played in the rookie tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. In a game against the Wild, the third pick of the 2019 draft, Darion Pilon, was attacked hard.
Dach left the game with a concussion and will return to practice on September 27th.
December 24, 2020: Wrist fracture
In his second season in Chicago, Dach was loaned to Team Canada Junior. With the 2020-2021 season not scheduled to begin until February 2021 due to COVID, the Hawks want to give the forward ice time.
However, Dach broke his wrist in a preseason game against Russia. A few days later, he went under the knife and missed activities for three months. He will return to play for the Blackhawks on March 27, 2021
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May 4, 2021: still the wrist
Kirby Dach’s 2020-2021 season only lasted 18 short games. The Hawks prospect has barely recovered from his broken wrist and is struggling with the scar associated with his surgery. His season is over.
April 14, 2022: Shoulder sprain
In 2021-2022, Dach has struggled offensively with Chicago on the ice. The forward’s season ended sooner than expected when he injured his right shoulder against the San Jose Sharks.
Roof is tripped by Nicolas Meloche and Sam Lafferty falls to the Blackhawks forward. This injury ends the young player’s season.
February 16, 2023: the mysterious injury
Dach is a new member of the Canadiens for 2022-2023 and is regaining his offensive touch under the teachings of Martin St-Louis, but another injury derails the forward’s progress.
First announced as “a virus that is not COVID-19,” tests show Dach’s injury is instead a lower-body injury. He will play again on March 21, 2023.
March 27, 2023: Concussion
Four games after his return, Dach and the CH met the Buffalo Sabres. In extra time, the attacker came alone in front of Eric Comrie and was hit from behind by Peyton Krebs.
Dach suffered a concussion and ultimately did not return to action that season, missing the final eight games.
October 14, 2023: Knee injury
Dach is finally healthy and starts the year with a promising trio of Juraj Slafkovsky and Alex Newhook. But in the first third of the second game of the season he had to accept a hard check from Jarred Tinordi.
Roof leaves the meeting and does not return. There is bad news in the case of the striker, who, according to the Canadians, has suffered a “significant” knee injury and whose absence “is unlikely to be short-lived”.