Alex Pietrangelo was an unfortunate scratch for Team Canada just before the 4 Nations Face-Off. The reason? He is dealing with an ailment and preparing for the remainder of the season with the Vegas Golden Knights. It was not the situation Team Canada would’ve hoped for, but it became an opportunity for Drew Doughty to bring his experience and leadership to the squad.

Doughty’s fans were thrilled to see him in the red sweater. However, assistant coach Pete DeBoer might be the most excited of them all. As reported by the NHLPA, DeBoer shared his thoughts saying, “He’s willing to drop everything. Everything. There’s not many guys with that short a runway that you would consider bringing. That shows you how much we value what he brings to the table.”

The LA Kings’ old-school defenseman, he has seen it all, and even DeBoer describes him as “a throwback type player,” and a “throwback type leader.”  The 35-year-old has had a rocky start to his 2024-25 campaign, with an ankle injury that has kept him off the ice for weeks. By a stroke of luck, he secured a spot on Team Canada just as he’s recovered, and he intends to make the most of it.

Pete DeBoer wasn’t the only person to point out Doughty’s dedication. When the 35-year-old made a return to the ice for practice, the LA Kings’ general manager, Rob Blake, read the mind of the star defenseman. “He was thinking about Canada; I could tell right away. They just want to be part of the next big thing. It fueled him coming back. It got pretty tense at the end.”

For Drew Doughty, Canada was heavy on his mind. Although the circumstances that brought him into the team were unfortunate, this represents perhaps Doughty’s last chance to don the iconic red sweater of his country. And although the Kings will need him fit to continue their surge to the playoffs, for now Canada needs him too, and Doughty’s heart is set.

The phone call that determined Drew Doughty’s destiny

A fractured ankle kept Drew Doughty away from the LA Kings until late January. Doughty missed a significant number of regular season games and faced a long road to get back onto the ice. Before Pietrangelo’s injury, Doughty looked to be set to miss the tournament despite all his past records with the team.

Before the 4 Nations Face-Off, Doughty played for Team Canada in 13 Olympic matches. The results? He won two Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014, in Vancouver and Sochi, respectively. Even during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, he was a key player for his nation and contributed to winning the title over Team Europe.

So the LA Kings defenseman’s desire to compete in the 4 Nations Face-Off was valid. Doughty recalled the experience of getting into the team, stating, “It was like 1:30 in the afternoon, two o’clock. I usually nap from, like, one ‘til three. And I had a missed call from a Tampa number. Didn’t answer it. I was like, darn, that could have been Coop. And then he texted me and said, ‘It’s Coop. Call me when you can.’ Called him right away.”

This particular phone call sealed the 35-year-old’s fate with Team Canada. Although Pietrangelo was the first choice, Doughty’s passion and commitment to the team is unquestionable, as noted by Jon Cooper. And as Cooper looks to lead Canada to victory, Doughty’s zeal might be just the thing to keep the team motivated and ready for all that they will face.