Quinn Hughes Snubbed From Team USA's Leadership Group for the 4 Nations Face-Off
Photo credit: USA Hockey
The 4 Nations Face-Off is set to begin in less than two weeks at the Bell Centre in Montreal, with four Vancouver Canucks representing their respective countries, including Quinn Hughes.
Back at the end of June, the National Hockey League, along with the four participating nations, announced the first six players for each roster and Quinn Hughes was named to Team USA.
Quinn Hughes not named to Team USA's leadership group
With the tournament less than two weeks away, with the puck dropping in Montreal, Quebec on February 12th, each nation announced their leadership group on Thursday.
For the United States, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews was named captain, while Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk and Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie MacAvoy will wear an 'A' on their sweaters.
"Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who currently serves as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and has been the most significant goal scorer since his arrival in the NHL in 2016-17, has been named captain of the U.S. Men's National Team for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, which is set for Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston.
Team USA's leadership group will also include alternate captains Matthew Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.), who currently serves as an alternate captain for the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, and Charlie McAvoy (Long Beach, N.Y.), an alternate captain for the Boston Bruins." USA Hockey said.
Team USA's leadership group will also include alternate captains Matthew Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.), who currently serves as an alternate captain for the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, and Charlie McAvoy (Long Beach, N.Y.), an alternate captain for the Boston Bruins." USA Hockey said.
Many were expecting to see Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes part of the leadership group for the tournament, wearing an 'A' for the United States, so him not being named on Thursday came as a bit of a shock.
However, just because he doesn't have a letter on his sweater doesn't mean he can't be a leader in that locker room and while he might not be the most outspoken player, he'll show that leadership through his performance on the ice.
The 4 Nations Face-Off marks the first time since the 2019 IIHF World Championship that Quinn Hughes has played for the United States at the men's level and he'll have plenty more opportunities ahead in the coming years with the 2026 Winter Olympics and likely, a World Cup of Hockey in 2028.
Quinn Hughes and Team USA will begin their quest for the 4 Nations Face-Off title in exactly two weeks - February 13th, as they take on Kevin Lankinen & Team Finland.
Previously on CanucksDaily
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