Quinn Hughes out of 4 Nations, Sanderson draws in for USA

Vancouver Canucks star defenseman Quinn Hughes won't play for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off due to an undisclosed injury, the team announced Sunday.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson will take Hughes' place.

Hughes has missed the Canucks' last four games with the ailment. The reigning Norris Trophy winner has 14 goals and 59 points in 47 contests this season. He's tied for second among NHL defenders in scoring with fellow American blue-liner Zach Werenski.

"It was so hard for him to make that final decision (with) the chance to play with his brother (Jack Hughes) on Team USA," Hughes' agent, Pat Brisson, told Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre. "But he just feels responsible as the captain of the Vancouver Canucks to be the best he can be for his team."

"It has been a long year and to have the chance to rest and rehab, we just felt it was the bigger benefit," Brisson added.

Sanderson has five goals and 35 points in 55 appearances. The 22-year-old has played over 24 minutes a night for the Senators this season. He tallied four points in eight contests at the World Championship last spring and played one game at the 2022 Olympics.

Hughes is the first American to withdraw from the tournament. He joins Canada's Alex Pietrangelo, Finland's Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Jani Hakanpaa, and Sweden's Jacob Markstrom and William Karlsson as players to step out due to injuries.

The 4 Nations Face-Off begins Wednesday. Team USA opens the tournament Thursday against Team Finland.