No. 1 pick Ekblad dealing with concussion

Aug 6, 2014 - 7:41 PM Calgary, AB (SportsNetwork.com) - 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick Aaron Ekblad sustained a concussion Tuesday while playing for Team Canada's World Juniors team in a exhibition game against the Czech Republic.

Due to the injury, both Hockey Canada and the Florida Panthers, who own Ekblad's NHL rights, have decided to hold the young defenseman out of the remainder of the summer development camp for next year's World Juniors.

Panthers general manager Dale Tallon does expect the 18-year-old Ekblad to be fully cleared to participate in the Panthers' training camp next month.

"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," said Tallon in a statement. "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, the first defenseman to be taken with the top overall choice of the NHL Draft since St. Louis selected Erik Johnson No. 1 in 2006, recorded 23 goals and 53 points in just 58 regular-season games for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League in 2013-14.