Unfortunate start to the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championships for Sweden and Toronto forward William Nylander.
Nylander was taken out in the first period of Sweden’s tourney-opening game against Switzerland, following this massive hit from Chris Egli:
Nylander out from this illegal hit. https://t.co/kDxTjEKPZU
— Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) December 26, 2015
Nylander left immediately following the incident and, at the time of writing, had yet to return. Egli was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for an illegal check to the head.
We’ll continue to monitor the situation but, at first glance, it doesn’t look good.
Nylander, 19, has shown why the Leafs made him the No. 8 overall pick in 2014 -- he currently leads the American Hockey League in scoring, with 34 points in 28 games for the Marlies, and is one of the organization’s top young talents.
While he’s yet to play for the parent club, the Leafs would hate for Nylander to miss any developmental time in what’s been a great second year playing pro in North America.
Update:
Swedish team doctor: William Nylander has been to hospital, is back with team, inconclusive on whether he will play further in #2016WJC
— Szymon Szemberg (@Sz1909_Szemberg) December 26, 2015