Quinn Hughes Opts Out of 4 Nations Final: What This Means for Team USA

Quinn Hughes won’t be heading to Boston for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game against Canada. His agent confirmed that he’s not able to take the spot left open by defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who had to leave the tournament due to an infection and a serious shoulder injury.

Initially, Hughes, 25, was on Team USA’s roster. However, he had to drop out because of an oblique injury. He has been sidelined since January 31 and just recently began practicing with the Vancouver Canucks again, wearing a non-contact jersey. Although he was cleared for contact practice on Wednesday, he still hasn’t received full clearance to play.

His absence means the U.S. will rely on Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson and New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce as potential replacements for the final match on Thursday. It’s a busy travel week for Hughes, who just returned from the East Coast to Vancouver. Making another trip to Boston and then to Las Vegas for a Canucks game would have been a lot for him.

The rules of the tournament allow teams to replace players if they lose two due to injury or illness. Canada recently called up Thomas Harley, following injuries to some of their players. Hughes expressed disappointment about not being able to join the team, saying he wished more players could be added in situations like this. He has been watching every game closely and feels frustrated about missing out.

Jack Hughes, Quinn’s brother and a teammate on the Devils, shared that the uncertainty around Quinn’s status has been tough. He mentioned how much Quinn wanted to be part of the team, especially with upcoming events like the Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey ahead.

Hughes expressed his gratitude to U.S. general manager Bill Guerin for being patient with him during this challenging time, acknowledging that he wasn’t healthy enough to risk aggravating his injury. Despite the disappointment now, he is hopeful about being ready for the Canucks’ next game against Vegas.

As the U.S. team prepares to face Canada in the championship on Thursday night, the tension is palpable. This match is a rematch after a tough game last Saturday, which ended with the U.S. claiming victory. Fans are eager to see how the game unfolds.

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