Breakaway on SI

Ducks Defender Replacing Injured Seth Jones on Olympic Roster

USA Hockey announced its first roster change ahead of the Olympic Winter Games, replacing an injured Seth Jones with an Anaheim Ducks blueliner.
Deepanjan Mitra|
Jan 19, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) controls the puck against New York Rangers right wing Gabe Perreault (94) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Jan 19, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) controls the puck against New York Rangers right wing Gabe Perreault (94) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

In this story:

Anaheim Ducks

The United States has made its first official roster adjustment ahead of next month's Olympic tournament in Milan and Cortina, as Seth Jones will not be able to participate after sustaining an upper-body injury during the Winter Classic earlier this month.

The Florida Panthers defenseman was struck in the collarbone area by a deflected shot during the outdoor game against the New York Rangers on January 2. He has not played since and was placed on long-term injured reserve by the Panthers earlier this week, officially ending his hopes of representing his country at the Olympics.

USA Hockey announced that Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe will replace Jones on the 25-player Olympic roster. The 25-year-old becomes the first official replacement for any country ahead of the Milan-Cortina Games.

LaCombe's International Experience

The Minnesota native helped the United States capture its first gold medal at the IIHF Men's World Championship since 1933 last May. His performance on the international stage demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level when representing his country.

LaCombe has recorded 31 points in 49 games this season for Anaheim, including six goals and 25 assists. The second-round pick from the 2019 NHL Draft has compiled 91 points in 197 career regular-season games since breaking into the league.

Defensive Depth for Team USA

LaCombe's addition gives Team USA six left-handed-shooting defensemen alongside just two righties in Brock Faber and Charlie McAvoy. He joins a defensive corps that includes Quinn Hughes, Jaccob Slavin, Zach Werenski, Jake Sanderson, and Noah Hanifin.

Jones appeared in 40 games for the Panthers this season before the injury, recording 24 points while averaging over 23 minutes per game. The 31-year-old played a significant role in Florida's Stanley Cup championship run last season after being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Olympic tournament begins next month when NHL players return to the Olympic stage for the first time since 2014. The United States finished second to Canada at the recent 4 Nations Face-Off and will look to capture gold in Italy.

Make sure you bookmark Breakaway On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Published
Deepanjan Mitra
DEEPANJAN MITRA

Deepanjan Mitra is an NHL-focused sports writer with over 1.5 years of experience delivering comprehensive ice hockey coverage across leading digital platforms. Currently contributing to Pro Football Sports Network (PFSN), he specializes in breaking news, trade deadline analysis, playoff narratives, and real-time game recaps across all 32 NHL teams. A passionate Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche fan, Deepanjan brings authentic enthusiasm to his professional coverage—from the Panthers' historic 2025 Stanley Cup run to the Avalanche's championship legacy. His work spans player rankings and team previews to deep-dive historical features on iconic playoff moments and legendary rivalries.

Home/News Feed Page