Sweden's Rickard Rakell to miss World Cup of Hockey due to illness

WASHINGTON -- Team Sweden forward Rickard Rakell has an unspecified illness and will not compete in the World Cup of Hockey, the team announced Monday.

Forward Patrik Berglund will replace Rakell, who was hospitalized twice over the weekend in Gothenburg, Sweden, before the team traveled to D.C. for an exhibition game against Team Europe.

Berglund, 28, of the St. Louis Blues had 15 points in 42 regular-season games in 2015-16. He added four goals and five assists for nine points in 20 Stanley Cup playoff games last spring.

"Patrik had a great Stanley Cup playoff with the St. Louis Blues after returning from injury last season," Team Sweden coach Rikard Gronborg. said. He will be able to help us with both his size and his skill, as he has shown in both the NHL and with Team Sweden in previous championships."

Rakell, 23, plays in the NHL for the Anaheim Ducks.