Canadian junior standout Dana Tyrell tops the Prince George Cougars with 40 points in 30 games this season. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Dana Tyrell's most recent world junior hockey experience with Team Canada might consist of a successful tryout and exhibition win over Sweden.

Citing anonymous sources, the Prince George Citizen on Saturday reported the forward suffered a significant injury in Friday's 4-2 doubling of the Swedes in Toronto.

Tyrell, who is captain of the Western Hockey League's Prince George Cougars, didn't return for the third period and afterward, Canadian coach Pat Quinn said the player had sustained a lower-body injury.

Earlier, the 19-year-old made his presence felt when he levelled star Swedish defenceman Victor Hedman with a clean, hard check along the boards on the first shift.

Last year, Tyrell suffered a knee strain that kept him from being at his best for the national junior team's final selection camp and he was released.

He will miss Sunday's pre-tournament game against Finland in Brampton, Ont.

The four-time defending world junior champions open the world juniors Dec. 26 in Ottawa against the Czech Republic.

Tyrell, a native of Airdrie, Alta., recently signed a three-year contract with the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning. He was a second-round draft pick, 47th overall, in 2007.

In his fourth season with the Cougars, Tyrell leads the team with 40 points (19 goals, 21 assists) in 30 games.

A long-term injury could scuttle attempts to move him before the WHL's Jan. 10 trade deadline.

It's believed the Cougars would like to add prospects to build around highly rated local product Brett Connolly.