Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Winnipeg Jets’ defenceman Jacob Trouba has left Team USA for precautionary reasons. Trouba will not return to the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships.
Trouba has averaged 23 minutes in ice time and scored 2 goals and an assist for Team USA. Trouba helped the US to 1 win 2 losses and one overtime win in the 4 games he played in.
Its unclear what the problem is that will keep Trouba out for the remainder of the tournament. Trouba didn’t play the game against Kazakhstan but did play the entire game in the US’ 6-5 loss against Latvia on May 15/2014.
Trouba has had an excellent rookie season with the Jets but had a neck injury that kept him out of the Jets’ lineup for 17 games. Trouba also took a puck to the neck in the final game of the season but has said he’s had no ill effects from that injury that had him leave the game early against the Calgary Flames.
If he’s being sent home for precautionary reasons chances are it’s not all that serious, plus he has the entire summer to heal. Our only concern is hoping it’s not going to involve surgery. We’ll know more once Trouba returns to North America.