Key Takeaways
- Seth Jones, Florida Panthers defenseman, will miss the 2026 Winter Olympics due to an upper-body injury
- Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks defenseman, will replace Jones on the US Olympic team
- LaCombe has previously won two gold medals with the US team in the 2021 world junior championships and 2025 world championships
- Several other Olympic hockey players are currently injured, including Minnesota forward Matt Boldy, Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin, and Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog
- The US men’s hockey team opens play at the Olympics on February 12 against Latvia
Introduction to the Injury
Seth Jones, a 31-year-old defenseman for the Florida Panthers, will unfortunately miss the 2026 Winter Olympics as a result of an upper-body injury. The injury occurred during the January 2 Winter Classic, where Jones was hit by a puck and had to leave the game. This news is particularly disappointing, as Jones had been named to the US Olympic team earlier in the day. Jones was chosen for the team due to his significant contributions to the Panthers’ Stanley Cup run, which followed his acquisition in a 2025 trade from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Replacement and Team Updates
To fill the void left by Jones’ injury, USA Hockey has announced that Jackson LaCombe, a 25-year-old defenseman for the Anaheim Ducks, will join the US Olympic team. LaCombe has an impressive track record, having won two gold medals with the US team in the 2021 world junior championships and 2025 world championships. This experience will undoubtedly be valuable as the US team prepares to face off against other top teams in the Olympics. LaCombe is currently in his third full season in the NHL and has accumulated 31 points in 49 games this season, demonstrating his skill and potential as a key player.
Other Injuries Affecting the US Team
In addition to Jones’ injury, the US men’s hockey team is also dealing with other injury concerns. Minnesota forward Matt Boldy is currently on the injured list, although the nature of his injury has not been disclosed. Fortunately, Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk and Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin have recently returned from lengthy injury absences, which will provide a much-needed boost to the team. The US team will need to be at full strength as they prepare to face off against Latvia on February 12 in their opening Olympic match.
International Injury Updates
The US team is not the only one dealing with injuries, as several other countries are also facing similar challenges. Sweden, for example, will be without the services of Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin, who will miss the Olympics due to an injury. Sweden is also dealing with injuries to several other key players, including Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog, Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson, Minnesota’s Joel Eriksson Ek, Toronto’s William Nylander, and Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman. While Eriksson Ek may be able to return to play soon, the status of the other injured players is still uncertain.
Olympic Hockey Landscape
The Olympic hockey tournament is shaping up to be a highly competitive and unpredictable event, with several top teams facing injury concerns. In addition to the US and Sweden, other countries are also dealing with injuries to key players. Canada, for example, will be without the services of Florida’s Brad Marchand, Washington’s Tom Wilson, Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point, Islanders’ Bo Horvat, and Colorado’s Devon Toews. Other injured players include Philadelphia’s Dan Vladar (Czechia), Rodrigo Abols (Latvia), Rasmus Ristolainen (Finland), and St. Louis’ Pius Suter (Switzerland). As the tournament approaches, teams will need to adapt to these injuries and find ways to overcome them if they hope to succeed.
Conclusion and Outlook
In conclusion, the injury to Seth Jones is a significant blow to the US men’s hockey team, but the addition of Jackson LaCombe provides a promising solution. As the team prepares to face off against Latvia on February 12, they will need to be at full strength and ready to compete against the best teams in the world. With several other countries facing similar injury concerns, the Olympic hockey tournament is shaping up to be a highly competitive and unpredictable event. Fans can watch the US team in action on February 12 on the USA Network and Peacock, and can stream their favorite shows and sports online.
