COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones won’t play for the U.S. men’s ice hockey team in the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics because of an injury.
USA Hockey announced Wednesday that Jones is out and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe will replace him on the 25-player roster.
Jones was injured when he was hit in the right collarbone by a puck during the Winter Classic against the New York Rangers on Jan. 2 and has not played since. He was going to be one of only a few newcomers to a group heavily comprising members of the U.S. 4 Nations Face-Off team that reached the final before losing to Canada.
LaCombe, who recently turned 25, helped the U.S. win the world championship last year for the first time since 1933. His addition to the roster gives the U.S. six left-handed-shooting defensemen and just two righties: Brock Faber and Charlie McAvoy.
The U.S. begins play Feb. 12 against Latvia.