NHL Notebook: Canadiens forward Kirby Dach suffers lower body injury against the Blackhawks and CCM named an official equipment supplier to the PWHL

During Saturday nights face-off against the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach suffered a lower-body injury in the first period and did not return to the game.

With the score still tied at zero, Dach, 22, absorbed a hit from Blackhawks defenceman Jarred Tinordi sending him into the Chicago bench. Moments later, he headed to the dressing room and did not re-emerge.

Despite this setback, the Canadiens ultimately clinched a 3-2 victory against prodigy Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks, courtesy of goals by Sean Monahan, Cole Caufield, and Tanner Pearson.

As of Sunday Afternoon, the Canadiens organization are yet to provide an update on the status of Dach.

In the Canadiens’ season opener on Wednesday, a 6-5 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dach showcased his skills recording two points, contributing to goals by Alex Newhook in the first and third periods.

Dach was originally the third overall pick to the Blackhawks in the 2019 NHL Draft. He remained with the club for three years totalling 19 goals and 59 points over 152 games. His journey took a turn in July 2022 when Dach was traded to the Canadiens in exchange for a first and third-round pick in the 2022 draft.

Last season was Dach’s inaugural year with Montreal witnessed a remarkable transformation as the forward succeeded under a new light, achieving career highs in goals at 14 and points at 24, demonstrating his evolving prowess on the ice.

CCM, a leading designer and manufacturer of hockey gear has annouced their partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) as the leagues hockey equipment supplier ahead of their inaugural season in 2024.

“We are so proud to be partnering with the PWHL. Growing and making a more inclusive game of hockey is a key priority for CCM and we are excited to share our passion in this way,” said CCM Hockey’s chief executive officer, Marrouane Nahih, in a news release on Friday.

“Working with the talented individuals of the PWHL to support women’s hockey is true to who we are, and to what we want to support as a brand and as a voice in hockey. We look forward to the upcoming season and to building upon our relationship for the long term.”

CCM will provide helmets, protective gear, sticks, skates, and more to players. Bauer is also reportedly partnering with the league to provide equipment giving athletes multiple options available to them.

It’s another check mark on the to-do list ahead of the leagues launch with six total teams in Montreal, Boston, Toronto, New York and Ottawa gearing up for their first puck drop next year.

The PWHL’s vice president of hockey operations, Jayna Hefford, expressed the collaboration will give players not only high quality equipment for performance, but will also ensure players safety.