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Lightning prospect Brett Connolly injured at Team Canada WJC camp

Canada v Sweden: 2011 IIHF World U20 Championship - Day Six

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 31: Forward Brett Connolly #28 of Canada flips the puck in during the 2011 IIHF World U20 Championship game between Canada and Sweden on December 31, 2010 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

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August is usually when things get quiet hockey-wise, but for the World Junior Championship teams, it’s their time to see what they’ve got talent-wise. Team Canada’s development camp is under way in Edmonton, and while the rosters aren’t set yet for the Canadians, they’re able to get a good look at what they’ve got for now.

The one thing you want to avoid in these situations is injuries, and Team Canada got a scare tonight as 2010 Tampa Bay Lightning first round pick Brett Connolly left the ice with what appeared to be a leg injury when he was tripped up from behind by 2011 Colorado Avalanche first round pick Duncan Siemens.

NHL.com’s Mike Morreale has the update from Edmonton on how Connolly is doing.

Team Canada head coach Don Hay doesn’t believe the “lower body” injury to be serious despite the fact he needed the assistance of two persons to exit the ice surface and reach the trainer’s room.

“I was talking to the doctor and we’ll re-evaluate (Friday), but right now it doesn’t look as bad as maybe first thought,” Hay said. “It may be a bad bruise. He’ll be able to recover to play over the weekend.”


It’s good that Connolly isn’t hurt as bad as was initially thought, and for the Lightning they’re even happier to hear that. While Connolly may not have been likely to challenge for a roster spot this year, hopes are very high for him to eventually be a big scoring contributor for them in the future.

Connolly was a key member of Team Canada’s WJC team last year in helping them to win the silver medal and being one of seven players from last year’s team at this summer’s development camp means he’s in line to earn a spot on the 2012 WJC team. Canada will be looking to get revenge against Russia after being upset in the gold medal game 5-3 back in January.

With the event being held in Edmonton and Calgary this time around, Team Canada’s home ice advantage in the tournament will be immense as will the pressure to win gold for the first time since 2009. Losing in the finals the last two years to the United States and Russia is leaving a bad taste in the mouth of Team Canada. Making sure their best players are in shape and healthy is key, and Connolly will be a big part of this year’s team. If Team Canada can get things figured out and keep the injuries away, they’ll enter the tournament once again as heavy favorites expected to take home the gold in January.