Sweden put out a boatload of bad news for Swedish hockey fans on Sunday. The team will finish the 2016 World Junior Championship without star forward William Nylander or defenseman Adam Ollas Mattsson.
Nylander has been out since early in the first game when he took a high hit from Switzerland’s Chris Egli, which ultimately saw Egli get ejected from the game and suspended an additional three games.
Nylander had already scored a goal at that point, potting his first shot of the tournament, showing that he was going to have a huge impact for the Swedes.
There had been speculation that Nylander might return, but it is believed that he may have a concussion. He’ll return to Canada and see Toronto Maple Leafs team doctors.
Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello released a statement on Nylander’s situation, saying, “The decision for William not to play the rest of the tournament was the right decision. He will return to Toronto and be re-evaluated by our team physicians. We have been in constant communication with the Swedish Federation and have been supportive of all their decisions throughout this process.”
Ollas Mattsson, a 2014 6th round pick of the Calgary Flames, was knocked out of Saturday’s quarterfinal match against Slovakia. He was seen limping to the dressing room during the second period and never returned. It was announced on Sunday that he will not be able to return for either of Sweden’s final games.
The injury has been termed a lower-body injury and the IIHF announcement of his injure says that he “suffered a fracture,” but no other details are available.
Sweden will play Finland on Monday in the World Juniors semifinals.
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