Lightning star forward Steven Stamkos will not be playing for Team Canada in this year's Hockey World Championship according to an article posted by Tampa Bay Times writer Damian Cristodero. Further examination of Stamkos' injured shoulder revealed that he had been dealing with an irritated bursa sac in his shoulder. Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman was pleased with his decision to skip the tournament.
We're very pleased, now he gets a chance to relax and come back and have an even better year next year
The irritation was bad enough that Stamkos almost sat out of the April 10 game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Had he sat out, it would have been the first game that Stamkos has been forced to miss in his four year career.
There is no structural damage to the shoulder so Stamkos should be ready to go when training camp begins for the Lightning next fall.
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