Injured Florida Panthers defenceman Seth Jones has been replaced on Team USA for next month’s Olympic tournament by Anaheim Ducks blueliner Jackson LaCombe.
Jones, who has been out since Jan. 2 with an upper-body injury, was placed on LTIR by the Panthers this week. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said earlier this month when Jones was first injured that he was expected him to return before the Olympic break.
The 31-year-old has six goals and 24 points in 40 games so far this season while averaging 23:29 of ice time per game. Jones has been resurgent since being acquired by the Panthers from the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of the trade deadline last year, playing a key role as Florida repeated as Stanley Cup champions.
LaCombe has six goals and 31 points in 49 games with the Ducks this season, averaging 24:26 of ice time per game. He helped Team USA claim gold at the World Hockey Championship last spring, America’s first since 1933.
The 25-year-old blueliner inked a nine-year, $72 million contract extension with the Ducks in Octoberthat will kick in this fall and carry a cap hit of $9 million.
LaCombe gets the nod to the roster over New York Rangers blueliner Adam Fox, who was one few players not named to the team earlier this month after playing at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and Montreal Canadiens star Lane Hutson.
LaCombe joins Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin, Brock Faber, Zach Werenski, Jake Sanderson and Noah Hanifin on Team USA’s defence.
Wednesday’s announcement marks the first replacement for any team ahead of the Olympics. Team Canada could be forced to make a change if Brayden Point is unable to return for the tournament, while Team Sweden is dealing with several injuries.