Doughty to replace injured Pietrangelo on Canada’s 4 Nations blue line
Canada has made a significant addition to its roster for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, as veteran defenseman Drew Doughty has been chosen as the injury replacement for Alex Pietrangelo. Pietrangelo had to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury, paving the way for Doughty to join the team.
Doughty, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and two-time Stanley Cup champion hailing from London, Ontario, recently returned to action with the Los Angeles Kings after recovering from a broken left ankle sustained in a preseason game back in September. Despite the setback, Doughty’s stellar career resume speaks for itself, making him a valuable asset to the Canadian squad.
Having spent his entire 17-year NHL career with the Kings, Doughty has been a cornerstone of the team’s defense, even serving as an alternate captain for the past nine seasons. He holds the distinction of being the franchise’s all-time leader in points by a defenseman and ranks eighth in career scoring with 669 points in 1,179 regular-season games.
On the international stage, Doughty has been a key contributor to Team Canada’s success, winning gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games in 2010 and 2014, as well as at the World Juniors in 2008 and the World Cup of Hockey championship in 2016. He also has a silver medal from the 2009 World Championship, further solidifying his reputation as a top-tier defenseman.
Canada captain Sidney Crosby praised Doughty’s experience and versatility, noting that he can excel in various situations on the ice. With Crosby’s own injury status looming as a concern for the team, Doughty’s presence will be even more crucial as Canada gears up to face off against Sweden in their tournament opener.
The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament will see Canada taking on Sweden on Wednesday in Montreal, followed by matchups against the United States and Finland in the coming days. The championship game is set to take place on February 20 in Boston, with all eyes on Canada’s quest for another international title.
