Ex-Wolverine added to USA roster ahead of 4 Nations Face-Off final

Team USA is bringing in some reinforcements ahead of Thursday’s 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada.

Former Michigan defenseman and current Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes was added to the roster Tuesday as an injury replacement. Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has been ruled out for Thursday’s championship game in Boston, leaving the United States with six healthy defensemen.

Hughes, who is tied for second in the NHL in scoring among blueliners with 59 points, is only eligible to play if another American defenseman isn’t able to suit up because of injury or illness.

Team Canada faced a similar situation earlier in the tournament, with Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley being a late addition and playing against the U.S. in the round-robin game – a 3-1 Americans victory. Shea Theodore suffered an injury in the opening game against Sweden, and Cale Makar was sick for the the game against the U.S., leaving the Canadians with only five healthy defensemen. That allowed Harley to step in an play, but he was no longer eligible once Makar returned to the lineup. Several players among the four teams in the tournament have missed games because of illness.

Hughes entering the lineup would provide a massive boost for USA. The reigning Norris Trophy winner as the league’s top defenseman was one of the first six players to be named to Team USA but bowed out just before the tournament because of an injury that forced him to miss the Canucks’ last four games before the break.

The Americans’ blue line currently consists of Jake Sanderson, Adam Fox, Brock Faber, Jaccob Slavin, Noah Hanifin and Zach Werenski.

Hughes is the fourth former Michigan player on the U.S. roster, joining forwards Dylan Larkin and Kyle Connor and defenseman Zach Werenski, who leads the team in scoring with five assists.

One of Hughes’ brothers, Jack, also is on the U.S. roster and has one assist in three games. Puck drop for the final is at 8 p.m. ESPN.