Anaheim Ducks blueliner Jackson LaCombe replaces Seth Jones in Team USA roster for Olympics

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe has recently been named to Team USA’s roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He has replaced Panthers defenseman Seth Jones, who has been dropped from the roster due to an injury. With this, LaCombe became the third-youngest defenseman named to Team USA and the fifth-youngest player for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.According to the NHL, LaCombe will appear in his first Olympic Winter Games with Team USA and his fourth international appearance for his country. He will join important marquee players like Cam Fowler (2014) and Ryan Whitney (2010). Other Ducks players to represent Team USA at the Olympics include Troy Terry (2018), Bobby Ryan (2010), and Guy Hebert (1998).Anaheim Ducks blueliner Jackson LaCombe has replaced Panthers defenseman Seth Jones in the Team USA roster for the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games 2026. The reason behind Jose’s replacement is due to an upper-body injury. The Panthers player was placed on LTIR by the club this week. Jones was also a potential choice for Team USA. The 31-year-old has six goals and 24 points in 40 games so far this season while averaging 23:29 of ice time per game. He has also been resurgent since being acquired by the Panthers from the Chicago Blackhawks ahead of the trade deadline last year, playing a key role as Florida repeated as Stanley Cup champions.However, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said earlier this month that when Jones was first injured, he was expected to return before the Olympic break. Unfortunately, owing to this situation, Team USA has opted for LaCombe instead.Meanwhile, LaCombe has six goals and 31 points in 49 games with the Ducks this season, averaging 24:26 of ice time per game. He helped Team USA claim gold at the World Hockey Championship last spring, America’s first since 1933.As per TSN, the 25-year-old blueliner signed a nine-year, $72 million contract extension with the Ducks in October, which will kick in this fall and carry a cap hit of $9 million.LaCombe will join goaltender Lukas Dostal and defenseman Radko Gudas (both Czechia), center Leo Carlsson (Sweden), forward Mikael Granlund (Finland), and goaltender prospect Damian Clara (host Italy) as Anaheim’s six players selected to participate in the February Olympic Winter Games.The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will take place from Feb. 11-22, and Team USA opens play in the Olympic tournament on Feb. 12 against Latvia.