USA Hockey added Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe to its men’s Olympic roster Wednesday.
The move comes after Florida Panthers blue-liner Seth Jones became unavailable due to an upper-body injury he sustained during the Winter Classic on Jan. 2. The Panthers placed Jones on long-term injured reserve Monday.
LaCombe has six goals and 31 points in 49 games and leads the Ducks in average ice time at 24:26 per game.
The 25-year-old had a breakout campaign last season and signed an eight-year, $72-million contract extension in October. He’s become a key piece of Anaheim’s defense corps this season.
LaCombe featured on the United States’ top pairing at the World Championship in May alongside Zach Werenski. He registered five points in 10 contests as the United States won gold at the event for the first time since 1933.
Jones has six goals and 24 points in 40 contests this season. The 31-year-old didn’t participate in the 4 Nations Face-Off last year.
LaCombe joins Werenski, Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin, Jake Sanderson, Brock Faber, and Noah Hanifin on the American blue line.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson remains omitted from the U.S. roster despite being tied for second in scoring among defensemen with nine goals and 52 points in 50 games.
New York Rangers blue-liner Adam Fox has been out since Jan. 5 with a lower-body injury. The 2021 Norris Trophy winner was on last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster, but Team USA dropped him from the Olympic squad.
The U.S. hasn’t won gold in men’s hockey at the Olympics since 1980.
