BROSSARD, Quebec — Top NHL draft pick Aaron Ekblad suffered a concussion in Canada’s world junior exhibition game against the Czech Republic and will miss the rest of summer development camp.
The 18-year-old defenseman was hit hard during Monday night’s 6-2 win over the Czech Republic and left the game. Hockey Canada says Ekblad is expected to be ready for Florida Panthers training camp in September.
Panthers general manager Dale Tallon echoed those sentiments, saying “We will closely monitor Aaron’s health for the remainder of the offseason and expect him to be ready for our rookie camp in mid-September.”
Ekblad played last season with the OHL’s Barrie Colts.
