In a surprising turn of events, Team USA will head to the Olympics without Jones, as LaCombe steps in to take his place. This change comes just as the excitement for the games builds.
LaCombe has been making waves this season, accumulating 31 points through six goals and an impressive 25 assists over the course of 49 games. At just 25 years old, he was selected by Anaheim as the 39th overall pick during the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Over his career, LaCombe has played in 197 regular-season games, racking up a total of 91 points, which includes 22 goals and 69 assists.
Interestingly, despite not participating in last season’s 4 Nations Face-Off, LaCombe enjoyed a triumph with Team USA when they clinched gold at the 2025 World Championships. His passion for the game was evident during the United States Olympic Orientation Camp held in August, where he expressed that he wasn’t focused on making the team but rather was excited about the entire experience. "Obviously just at this camp is awesome for me to experience and then get to meet all these other guys," LaCombe shared. "I’m just happy with where I’m at and trying to take it one day at a time and enjoy it."
This Olympics marks a significant moment, as it will be the first time since 2014 that NHL players have been allowed to compete for Team USA. The tournament format is structured so that each of the 12 participating teams will engage in three preliminary matches within their groups. The top three teams from each group, along with the best-performing second-place team, will advance directly to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams will face off in single-elimination rounds to determine the final four teams heading into the quarterfinals. Mark your calendars; the gold medal match is set for February 22.
Team USA, positioned in Group C, will kick off their journey against Team Latvia on February 12, followed by matches against Team Denmark on February 14 and Team Germany on February 15. Notably, the United States has been on a quest for gold in men's hockey since their memorable victory in 1980 at Lake Placid, New York.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming games, what are your thoughts on LaCombe stepping into such a critical role? Do you think this could be the year Team USA breaks its gold medal drought? Share your opinions in the comments below!
