Craig Custance  ESPN Senior Writer

Sept 20,2016

TORONTO — The Florida Panthers aren’t taking any risks with franchise defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

Ekblad, 20, is headed back to Florida and will miss the remainder of the World Cup of Hockey for Team North America, a source told ESPN, confirming a report by the Miami Herald.

Ekblad took a big hit during North America’s win over Finland on Sunday and sat out Monday’s 4-3 loss to Russia. North America is calling it an upper-body injury, but an NHL source said he was following league protocol by sitting out Monday’s game with symptoms consistent with a mild concussion.

Ekblad will be re-evaluated by doctors in Florida.

“He’s a huge piece of our team,” said Team North America captain Connor McDavid. “We miss him a lot, but it will be up to us to kind of march on without him.”

Source: Aaron Ekblad of Florida Panthers to miss remainder of World Cup of Hockey for Team North America