Jyrki Jokipakka has declined an invite to the World Championships, citing a hip injury, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 reports.

Jokipakka has declined an invite to the World Championships, citing a hip injury, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 reports.

Analysis:

Jokipakka played through a few different injuries to finish off the season. The defenseman was logging heavy minutes -- nearly 20 a game -- to finish the season and has a year left on his deal after being traded to Calgary. He should continue to eat up minutes on the second or third defensive pairing in 2016-17 for the Flames.