NHL teams
Joe McDonald, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Sweden's Mikael Backlund out of World Cup with concussion

NHL, Calgary Flames

TORONTO -- Team Sweden forward Mikael Backlund will miss the remainder of the World Cup of Hockey because of a concussion and will return to the Calgary Flames to begin his rehab, according to Sweden coach Rikard Gronborg.

Backlund, 27, was on the receiving end of a body check by Finland's Sami Lepisto during a 2-0 win on Tuesday. Backlund did not play in the team's 4-3 overtime loss to Team North America on Wednesday.

"He's on his way back to Calgary right now. It's a decision made that his rehabbing will be made in Calgary and obviously he's done playing in this tournament," Gronborg said.

Backlund is expected to be back in Calgary Saturday night.

"It's a decision made by Calgary and the team doctors there," Gronborg said. "It's another example in this tournament of players returning home for re-evaluating and rehabbing with their NHL teams. There's nothing different here and obviously we respect their decision and they're making that decision because it's best for the player's health and for Mikael to get back on track. We support that decision."

Backlund played two games for Sweden in the tournament and did not register a point.

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