Enstrom suffers facial fractures at World Championships

Thrashers defenseman Tobias Enstrom suffered facial fractures that required surgery while competing in the World Hockey Championships in Switzerland.

Enstrom is expected to make a full recovery and won’t miss the start of training camp, according to Thrashers general manager Don Waddell.

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Thrashers’ defenseman Tobias Enstrom is helped off the ice after a collision during a World Hockey Championships preliminary round game between Sweden and Latvia.

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Enstrom, who also lost several teeth, was representing Sweden in a first-round game against Latvia Monday. He was hit from behind by Martins Karsums (Boston Bruins) and landed face first where the boards meet the glass.

He underwent surgery Tuesday, Waddell said in a statement.

“It’s not too bad,” Waddell told USA Today. “(Goalie) Johan Hedberg talked to Enstrom’s dad, and he hoped he would be able fly home in a couple of days.”

Enstrom was a plus-2 for Sweden, which is 1-0-1-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L) in the World Championships.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Enstrom played in all 82 games for the Thrashers last season. He had 32 points (five goals, 27 assists) and was a plus-14.

Enstrom is one of nine Thrashers players competing in the World Championships, being held through May 10.