Quinn Hughes joining USA for 4 Nations Face-Off final vs. Canada

Team USA could be getting a major boost to its lineup for Thursday's 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada.

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes will be joining his country as an injury replacement, American head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that, as a late replacement, another injury to USA's blueline would be required in order for Hughes to play on Thursday.

"We're going to take each day as it comes and we'll see what we have available to us, and we'll make decisions accordingly," Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday.

Hughes was one of the first six players to be named to Team USA but had to pull out just before the tournament due to an undisclosed injury.

He missed the Canucks' final four games before the 4 Nations Face-Off with the ailment.

The 25-year-old Canucks captain is leading the team in scoring with 59 points in 47 games — also tied for second amongst NHL blueliners this season.

Hughes won his first Norris Trophy as the league's best defenceman last season after amassing 17 goals and 92 points in 82 games, leading the Canucks to their first non-bubble playoff appearance since 2015.

Hughes is replacing USA defenceman Charlie McAvoy, who was hospitalized on Monday with an upper-body injury.

Tournament rules state that teams can apply to bring in a player on emergency relief if they drop below six healthy defencemen, 12 forwards, or three goaltenders.

Canada was allowed to add defenceman Thomas Harley for its game against the U.S. on Saturday in Montreal after Shea Theodore's injury and Cale Makar's illness left it with five blueliners. He was removed from the roster after Makar recovered.

-- With files from Canadian Press