BROSSARD, Quebec โ A recent injury to Quinn Hughes has unfortunately sidelined the reigning Norris Trophy winner from the U.S. roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off, creating an opportunity for young defenseman Jake Sanderson to step in and possibly make Olympic history. The 22-year-old Sanderson will be taking Hughesโ place, reuniting him with Brock Faber, as they were previously teammates in the Beijing Olympic bubble when NHL players withdrew due to pandemic-related scheduling conflicts.
Faber, last seasonโs runner-up for the rookie of the year award with the Minnesota Wild, and Sanderson could potentially become the only U.S. players to secure spots on teams for back-to-back Olympics, with Milan 2026 on the horizon. Faber expressed his excitement about this possibility, stating the focus is currently on the tournament, yet they cannot ignore the chance to represent their country again. โIt would be a huge honor to be part of such a tremendous event,โ he remarked.
The U.S. had hoped to showcase both Quinn and Jack Hughes during the 4 Nations, but Jack noted the necessity for his brother to prioritize his health and the interests of the Vancouver Canucks following Quinnโs injury in a recent match. Jack, one of the prominent figures for the New Jersey Devils, mentioned that injuries are a common occurrence in sports, and even though itโs disappointing, he hopes for Quinnโs swift recovery for the latter part of the season with Vancouver.
For Sanderson, this presents a significant chance to demonstrate his skills among the top talents in Olympic hockey when the competition features the best players worldwide. He remarked on the challenge ahead, noting, โThis is best on best,โ while differentiating the competition from past Olympics where NHL players were not included.
On the Finnish side, tragedy struck as they lost star defenseman Miro Heiskanen due to a knee injury requiring surgery, making his status uncertain for the upcoming period. They also suffered losses with veterans Jani Hakanpรครค and Rasmus Ristolainen unable to compete, raising concerns about Finlandโs depth amidst limited options this year. Center Sebastian Aho acknowledged the gravity of losing their top player and emphasized the need for the team to collectively fill these gaps, expressing that itโs crucial for the group to rise to the challenge.
Captain Aleksander Barkov has even tested the waters by taking on a few defensive shifts, indicating he is ready to step in if necessary. โIโll do whatever is needed for the team,โ Barkov stated, while also feeling confident in the abilities of their current defensemen.
Meanwhile, Drew Doughty, who recently underwent surgery for a broken left ankle, has answered the call to join Canadaโs roster after Alex Pietrangelo stepped down. The two-time Stanley Cup champion relished the opportunity to represent Canada again, reflecting on the strength of playing rather than taking time off. โItโs good for me to play hockey,โ he said, highlighting the benefits this would bring to both himself and the Los Angeles Kings.
Doughty will don jersey No. 89 to distinguish himself from Cale Makar, who now carries Doughtyโs former number. He noted the timeline for changing numbers would have been challenging but took the opportunity to reference his birth year when explaining his choice of number.
On the Swedish front, goaltender Jacob Markstrom has been sidelined due to injury, and the team has turned to the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner, Linus Ullmark, who recently faced his own back issues. Ullmark was confident about his health just a week after suffering from discomfort, asserting he felt no pressure to rush back into action.
Despite Ullmarkโs recent challenges, he remains a formidable presence among the goaltenders, with teammates, including Buffalo captain Rasmus Dahlin, expressing confidence in his capabilities and the reassurance he brings to the teamโs defensive play. โIโm very happy heโs healthy and ready to play,โ Dahlin remarked, looking forward to Ullmarkโs contributions to the team.
Overall, the tournament presents several twists with players stepping up and adapting, showcasing the dynamic nature of international hockey as teams navigate injuries while striving for success.