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Team USA announced for Olympics, with Adam Fox snub confirmed
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- Team USA announced for Olympics, with Adam Fox snub confirmed
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The Olympics are five weeks away, with NHL players returning to the games in mid-February. Team Canada was already announced, with San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini joining the squad. Now, Team USA is locked in and heading to the Olympics, but will do so without New York Rangers star Adam Fox .
Team USA is similar to the squad that lost the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game last year. Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones replaces Fox on the blue line. Quinn Hughes will make his Team USA debut after missing the 4 Nations due to injury. Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres replaces Chris Kreider on the forward unit. Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller took the extra roster spot.
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The Fox snub was rumored the second the 4 Nations Face-Off ended. He struggled in the fast, physical games in the tournament for the American blueline. However, Team USA's coach, Mike Sullivan, took the Rangers ' job in the offseason, which signaled long-term faith in the player. ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported that Sullivan and Rangers GM Chris Drury pushed hard for Fox to make Team USA, but were overruled.
The Americans were one goal away from winning the 4 Nations Face-Off . With the short turnaround before the Olympics, they were never going to change their philosophy between tournaments. However, the physicality they won with last year will be muted due to IIHF rules, which are stricter than those of the NHL.
Both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are back on Team USA after their explosion into superstardom last year. Matthew, however, has not played all season due to an injury suffered in the 4 Nations. They are certainly looking to get revenge on Canada for that championship loss last year.
The biggest advantage Team USA has is in net, where defending NHL MVP Connor Hellebuyck stands. With him coming back from an injury recently, the Americans are in good shape there.
Related: Penguins' Sidney Crosby reacts to Canada's Olympic roster amid wild buzz
Related: NHL world stunned by Panthers F Sam Bennett's Team Canada Olympic snub
