Team USA’s Charlie McAvoy ruled out for 4 Nations Face-Off final with upper-body injury

United States defenseman Charlie McAvoy will miss the 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+) with an upper-body injury.

McAvoy, who plays for the Boston Bruins, sat out Monday’s defeat to Sweden in the final round-robin game for the Americans.

On Wednesday, the Bruins released a statement from team physician Dr. Peter Asnis stating that McAvoy suffered an injury to his “right shoulder acromioclavicular joint” during the U.S. victory over Finland. After undergoing treatment by the medical staff of USA Hockey, the defenseman traveled back and was evaluated by the team’s medical staff after reporting increasing pain. After X-rays, an MRI and bloodwork, he was diagnosed with an infection in his right shoulder and a “significant” injury to his AC joint. After he was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital, he underwent “an irrigation and debridement procedure” and remains there while being treated with IV antibiotics. His condition, the team says, is improving.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, who pulled out of the tournament earlier this month due to an injury, was a potential replacement, but was not medically cleared to join the team in Boston. Team USA is reportedly looking into other options as insurance if another player cannot play due to illness or injury.

McAvoy averaged over 19 minutes of ice time in the two wins for the U.S. during the round-robin portion of the tournament. He was noticeable on the blue line during the 3-1 win over Canada on Saturday, which included a big hit on Connor McDavid in the first period.

McAvoy was one of three Americans to sit out Monday’s game against Sweden. Forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews did not play for precautionary reasons as the U.S. had already clinched a spot in Thursday’s final.

Brady Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury in the first period after crashing into the net. Sullivan said Tkachuk was held out for the rest of the game, but did not anticipate his situation would affect his status for the Canada game, which will be held at TD Garden in Boston.

“We’re hopeful we’re going to get some of these guys back,” Sullivan said. “I would anticipate we would. We’ll have to wait and see how things play out here over the next day or so. Obviously, there will be contingency planning in the event that we need people.”