Seth Jones will not be joining Team USA for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics due to an injury he sustained earlier this month. USA Hockey announced on Wednesday that the Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers will be replaced on the 25-player roster by Jackson LaCombe, defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks.
Jones, who suffered a right collarbone injury from a puck during the Winter Classic against the New York Rangers on January 2, has been sidelined since that incident. His absence is felt as he was among the few new additions to a roster mostly made up of players from the U.S. 4 Nations Face-Off team, which narrowly lost to Canada in the final.
LaCombe, who recently celebrated his 25th birthday, brings valuable experience to the team, having helped lead the U.S. to its first world championship title since 1933 last year. His selection adds depth to the U.S. defense, which now features six left-handed-shooting defensemen alongside just two right-handed options, Brock Faber and Charlie McAvoy.
As the U.S. prepares to kick off their Olympic campaign on February 12 against Latvia, LaCombe’s performance will be closely watched as the team looks to build on recent successes and make a strong showing in the tournament. The addition of LaCombe not only enhances the team’s defensive lineup but also brings hope and excitement to fans anticipating the games.