Seth Jarvis Replaces Injured Brayden Point on Team Canada’s Olympic Roster
Team Canada is making a late adjustment ahead of the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, and it’s a significant one. Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis is stepping in to replace Brayden Point, who’s been sidelined with an undisclosed injury and won’t be able to suit up for the Games.
Point had been holding out hope for a return in time for the Olympic break, but after missing Tampa Bay’s last two games against Boston and Buffalo-and ruled out for Thursday night’s matchup with the Florida Panthers-it became clear he wouldn’t be ready to compete at the level he expects of himself. Rather than push through at less than full strength, Point made the tough call to step aside.
Lightning GM Julien BriseBois called the decision "devastating" but praised the selflessness of both Point and teammate Anthony Cirelli, who will also miss the Olympics due to injury. “They could’ve pushed to play at less than 100%, but showed character of the highest order in giving up their spot to someone healthier and more apt to help Canada win gold,” BriseBois said.
Enter Jarvis, who’s been turning heads with a standout season in Carolina. The 21-year-old winger has racked up 25 goals and 18 assists through 43 games, helping lead the Hurricanes to the top of the Metropolitan Division. Jarvis isn’t new to the international stage either-he was part of Canada’s gold medal-winning squad at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, and now he gets a shot at Olympic gold.
For Point, the timing is frustrating. The two-time Stanley Cup champion hasn’t played since mid-January, when he was injured in a game against the Flyers.
By the time the Lightning take on Florida Thursday night, it’ll mark his 10th straight game missed. Known for his clutch scoring and two-way play, Point was expected to be a key piece of Canada’s Olympic lineup.
Tampa Bay will still be well-represented in Milan Cortina. Ten Lightning players were selected to compete in the Olympics, including Cirelli, and forwards Oliver Bjorkstrand (Denmark), Zemgus Girgensons (Latvia), Jake Guentzel (USA), Brandon Hagel (Canada), and Pontus Holmberg (Sweden).
On the blue line, Erik Cernak (Slovakia), Victor Hedman (Sweden), and J.J. Moser (Switzerland) are also heading overseas.
For Jarvis, this is a golden opportunity-literally and figuratively. He’s been one of the NHL’s more quietly consistent scorers this season, and now he’ll get a chance to showcase his game on the biggest international stage. And for Team Canada, adding a red-hot winger with proven chemistry and a winning pedigree could be just the kind of spark they need in their pursuit of gold.