Breaking: Two Players Added To Team USA in Advance of 4 Nations Final

The Team USA roster kerfuffle at the 4 Nations Face-Off has taken another turn, as the team has been given permission to add two players to the roster—forward Tage Thompson and New Jersey Devils' defenseman Brett Pesce, in advance of Thursday night's Final against Team Canada.

The United States has been given permission to bring #sabres center Tage Thompson and #njdevils defenseman Brett Pesce to Boston to be on call in case of injuries or illness tomorrow. Thompson can only play if they go below 12 forwards, Pesce 6 defensemen. Each team has been hit…
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 19, 2025

The two players will be "on call" if injuries or illness (which has been making the rounds) knock out any further troops. Thompson can only play if the U.S. loses one of their 12 forwards, and Pesce only if they dip below their current six defensemen.

The move for Pesce, in particular, was precipitated by a couple of factors, first the injury and infection to Charlie McAvoy, who has been officially declared out for the Final. And then his potential replacement, Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, the reigning Norris Trophy winner, was also declared unable to play today, as he is not medically cleared.

Thompson is having an excellent year for the Buffalo Sabres, with 26 goals and 48 points in 48 games, along with a plus/minus rating of +4.

Pesce, who is in his first year with the Devils after signing as a free agent last summer, is logging 20:47 of ice time a night for New Jersey, and has 11 points in 48 games with 99 blocked shots.