The Los Angeles Kings had only one player selected to participate in the 4 Nations Face-off when rosters were initially announced in December. That player was Adrian Kempe who is part of Team Sweden but he will now get the chance to play against his teammate Drew Doughty.
When the rosters were initially announced, Doughty had yet to play this season after suffering an ankle injury during the preseason. The Kings star defensemen returned at the end of January and has played in the last six games.
That was enough for Team Canada to make the decision to add Doughty as a replacement for Alex Pietrangelo of the Vegas Golden Knights. Pietrangelo withdrew from the tournament due to an injury.
Team Canada waited to name a replacement until they could see Doughty play and see if he was ready to contribute. He certainly was thrusted back into his old role as he had 24 minutes of ice time every game he has been back.
When Doughty returned, he looked to be knocking off some rust and was -4 through his first two games but since that game, he had an assist against the Hurricanes and has been +3 in his last four games.
The announcement of Doughty being selected for Team Canada came during the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks. After the game, Jim Hiller was asked about Doughty being selected and had this to say:
"That’s the reputation, that’s the pedigree, that’s the resume, all in one. To get announced for that, you’ve got to be a special player, you know what I mean, and thought so highly of by Hockey Canada, Team Canada, everything he’s accomplished so far. Awesome for him and I look forward to watching him play."
For Doughty, he didn't hide his feelings when he was about to return and he certainly had the goal in mind to play for Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off. That goal became a reality on Saturday night.