Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Update: Panthers’ Ekblad suffers concussion

2014 NHL Draft - Round 1

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: Aaron Ekblad is selected first overall by the Florida Panthers in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at the Wells Fargo Center on June 27, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad suffered a concussion Tuesday night during a 6-2 win over the Czech Republic in a scrimmage.

Ekblad, the Florida Panthers’ first overall pick at June’s NHL draft, left in the third period after an open-ice collision with defenseman Lukas Klok.

The 18-year-old was not on the ice Wednesday morning and following practice Hockey Canada updated his status:

(1/2) After suffering a concussion last night, and after consultation with the @FlaPanthers, Aaron Ekblad will miss the remainder of camp.

— Team Canada Men (@HC_Men) August 6, 2014


(2/2) Ekblad is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of @FlaPanthers training camp.

— Team Canada Men (@HC_Men) August 6, 2014


The good news is Florida fully expects Ekblad to be ready for its mini camp next month.

“As announced earlier today by Team Canada, D Aaron Ekblad suffered a concussion during an exhibition game last night,” said Panthers general manager Dale Tallon in a statement. “We have been in communication with Team Canada and have mutually agreed to hold Aaron out for the remainder of the summer development camp, as a precautionary measure. We will closely monitor Aaron’s health for the remainder of the off-season and expect him to be ready for our rookie camp in mid-September.”

Given that Ekblad is likely to make the Panthers out of camp, it’s doubtful he’ll even be made available for Team Canada by Florida for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, which takes place in Montreal and Toronto.

Related: Get to know a draft pick - Aaron Ekblad

Follow @dcmahiban