Quinn Hughes' status for Team USA's Championship Game vs Canada Revealed
Photo credit: Sportsnet
Team USA will be without two-top defensemen, as Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks isn't medically cleared to play.
In startling news ahead of tonight's 4 Nations Face-Off Championship, Team USA will be without Quinn Hughes.
With defenseman Charlie McAvoy out of the lineup, they need to bolster their ranks with someone, like Quinn Hughes.
But it appears Hughes will not get a shot to suit up for Team USA, at least this season.
Hughes had been dealing with an upper-body injury that had kept him sidelined before the NHL break.
While he was seen practicing at Rogers Arena, he wasn't given the go-ahead to travel to Boston and play for Team USA tonight.
«Our therapists who work with him day to day probably report back to the doctor and they walk through a protocol to protect him for the long run with the Canucks. There's a back-to-back (Saturday and Sunday) coming up for us as well and we're just going to do video tomorrow, have workout and not practise.»
The hope is that Hughes will play Saturday in Las Vegas. Friday is a travel day and Hughes sounded confident that he can compete.»
The hope is that Hughes will play Saturday in Las Vegas. Friday is a travel day and Hughes sounded confident that he can compete.»
While Hughes had been practicing with an oblique injury on Wednesday, that doesn't mean he'll get to suit up and hit people again.
There's a difference between being medically clear to practice, and to play and he hasn't yet reached the stage where he can play.
With his latest diagnosis, it appears his next best shot to play hockey will be on Saturday against the Golden Knights, according to the Canucks therapists.
This is tough news for Team USA who have had to call up ancillary players like Tage Thompson, and Brett Pesce on emergency.
For Hughes, the notion of not playing for your country is a rough one.
«I'm close to a lot of those U.S.A. guys and proud how they've been playing. And the six defencemen got them to the championship game and deserve to play. But it's hard for me. I'm a competitor and feel like I want to play and be there.
Fortunately, the USA has enough defensemen for tonight's game and Hughes will get to rest another night in Vancouver.
It's a case of the "what-ifs" as we will miss the chance of seeing Quinn Hughes wearing a "USA" crest across his chest, and slotting in where he's needed.
In 47 games for the Canucks this season, he has 59 points (14 G, 45 A) and is an elite defenseman in the NHL.
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