Team USA is making its first roster move ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan - and it’s a big one on the blue line. Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones has been ruled out due to injury, and Anaheim Ducks blueliner Jackson LaCombe will take his place on the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team.
Jones, a key veteran presence and one of the league’s top two-way defensemen, hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury during the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic on January 2. The injury occurred just under eight minutes into the first period, when a shot from Alexis Lafreniere deflected off teammate Niko Mikkola and struck Jones high near the collarbone. He left the game immediately and was later placed on long-term injured reserve, officially ruling him out for the Olympic tournament.
Before the injury, Jones was having a strong season in Florida, tallying 24 points (6 goals, 18 assists) in 40 games and leading all Panthers defensemen in scoring. He was logging big minutes and playing in all situations - a true anchor on the back end.
Now in his 13th NHL season, Jones has built an impressive résumé with 465 career points over 900 regular-season games and 33 more in 60 playoff appearances. He played a key role in Florida’s Stanley Cup championship run last spring, chipping in nine postseason points.
Replacing a player of Jones’ caliber isn’t easy, but Team USA is turning to a rising star in LaCombe, who brings both skill and recent international success. The 25-year-old is in his third full NHL season with the Ducks and has quietly put together a breakout campaign. Through 49 games this year, LaCombe has posted 31 points (6 goals, 25 assists) while averaging over 24 minutes of ice time per night - a clear indicator of how heavily Anaheim leans on him.
LaCombe’s game blends mobility, puck-moving ability, and defensive awareness - and he’s no stranger to the international stage. He was part of the U.S. squad that won gold at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship, the country’s first title at that tournament since 1933.
LaCombe had five points in 10 games and played a steady role throughout. He also won gold with the U.S.
National Junior Team at the 2021 World Juniors and captained the University of Minnesota during his final college season before turning pro.
From a metrics standpoint, LaCombe offers a comparable two-way impact to Jones. He’s racked up 83 blocked shots and 42 hits this season - both higher than Jones’ totals (47 blocks, 38 hits) - and tracking data shows LaCombe reaching a top skating speed of 22.63 mph, outpacing Jones’ 21.99 mph.
Shot velocity? Nearly identical.
Jones averages 67.83 mph, while LaCombe clocks in at 66 mph. Bottom line: he’s got the tools to contribute on both ends of the ice.
With LaCombe in the fold, Team USA’s blue line now leans heavily left. He becomes the sixth left-shot defenseman on the roster, joining Quinn Hughes, Jaccob Slavin, Zach Werenski, Noah Hanifin, and Jake Sanderson. The two right-shot options are Brock Faber and Charlie McAvoy - both capable of logging big minutes and playing in high-leverage spots.
Up front, the U.S. roster announced earlier this month is headlined by some of the NHL’s brightest stars. Auston Matthews leads the charge, flanked by the Tkachuk brothers - Brady and Matthew - and Jack Eichel. It’s a group with speed, skill, and a physical edge, built to match up with the world’s best.
The men’s Olympic hockey tournament will feature 12 teams, with each playing three preliminary-round games. Group winners and the top second-place team advance directly to the quarterfinals.
Team USA is slotted into Group C and will open play on February 12 against Latvia, followed by matchups with Denmark on February 14 and Germany on February 15. The gold medal game is set for February 22.
It’s been 46 years since the U.S. men last captured Olympic hockey gold. With a blend of elite talent, youthful energy, and now a fresh face on the back end in LaCombe, the Americans are aiming to end that drought in Milan.