BOSTON — The United States has found an impressive substitute for injured defenseman Charlie McAvoy as they gear up for the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Quinn Hughes, who recently clinched the Norris Trophy, is poised to take the ice for the championship matchup against Canada.

On Tuesday, American head coach Mike Sullivan affirmed, “Quinn Hughes is coming,” when responding to inquiries regarding potential reinforcements for the game. However, as of Tuesday afternoon, Hughes was spotted at the Vancouver Canucks’ practice, donning a non-contact jersey, as seen in various social media clips. The 25-year-old defenseman has missed the last four games for Vancouver and was a last-minute scratch from the U.S. roster. The Canucks are set to face the Golden Knights in Las Vegas on Saturday, marking the NHL’s resumption following a pause for the tournament, which showcased top-tier players after a hiatus from the last two Winter Olympics.

Hughes was a first-round draft selection who joined the Canucks after spending two years at the University of Michigan, where he was a Hobey Baker Award finalist during his sophomore season. Last year, he notched career-highs of 17 goals and 75 assists, establishing himself as the top defenseman in the NHL and placing seventh for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league’s most valuable player.

According to the regulations of the 4 Nations tournament, the Americans can add Hughes to their roster only if the remaining defensemen drop below six “able-bodied” players, which would require another U.S. defenseman to be ruled out. The rules also allow for emergency relief applications, which would be evaluated by tournament chairs Bill Daly and Rob Zepp on an as-needed basis.

Sullivan mentioned, “Right now, we’re just taking each day as it comes. We’ll see what potential options might be available for us for the championship game and then we’ll make decisions accordingly from there.”

McAvoy, a 27-year-old standout from Boston University and key defenseman for the Bruins, had previously placed among the top five in Norris Trophy voting on two occasions. He played a vital role for the U.S. team, delivering strong hits that set a competitive tone against Canadian stars Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby during their round-robin encounter. The championship game will take place at the TD Garden, home to the Bruins.

On Tuesday, the Bruins revealed that McAvoy had been admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday night, suffering from an unspecified upper-body injury.

Sullivan expressed sympathy, noting, “He’s obviously disappointed that he won’t have the ability to participate in the championship game. This tournament means a lot to him. I’m disappointed for him because first and foremost, he’s a great kid and he’s a terrific hockey player, and I know this meant a lot to him.”