Quinn Hughes joining Team USA as potential injury replacement
Vancouver Canucks star defenseman Quinn Hughes is joining Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game versus Canada as a potential injury replacement, head coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday, according to TSN.
Boston Bruins rearguard Charlie McAvoy is out for Thursday's final due to an upper-body injury. Team USA has six defensemen currently available and won't be able to add Hughes to the roster unless another blue-liner drops out, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
Hughes was initially on the roster but withdrew before the tournament due to an undisclosed injury.
"We're gonna take each day as it comes," Sullivan said. "We'll see what we have available to us, and we'll make decisions accordingly."
Canada was permitted to add Thomas Harley to its roster after Shea Theodore was ruled out for the tournament and Cale Makar was made unavailable Saturday versus the United States.
Hughes last played Jan. 31 against the Dallas Stars. The reigning Norris Trophy winner has 14 goals and 59 points in 47 games this season.