Dallas Stars defenseman joins team Canada on emergency basis after injury during Four Nations faceoff

Team Canada managed a 4-3 victory over Sweden last night in the opening game of the Four Nations faceoff, despite blowing a multiple-goal lead twice in the contest.

There were some tense moments for the team as Sweden rallied in the third period to force overtime in the Bell Center.

The Four Nations tournament features a unique overtime format with ten minutes of 3 on 3 action followed by a shootout, which has been met with mixed reviews.

For example, Team Canada superstar Nathan MacKinnon said he would not like to see the same format brought to the NHL.

While Canada secured the win, they suffered a big blow to their roster in the process as defenseman Shea Theodore left the game early with an upper-body injury.

The Vegas Golden Knights confirmed this afternoon that he would not participate in the rest of the event.

As a result, Team Canada has called in Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley to serve as an emergency replacement.

Due to the rules of the tournament, Harley will not be allowed to participate in practices or games with Team Canada unless another defenseman gets injured, in which case he will become a full-fledged member of the team.

In the meantime, he will skate on his own in Boston and remain on call just in case his services are needed.

Harley, 23, is in his second full season with the Stars and appears to be a superstar in the making.

He has 9 goals and 29 points in 53 games this season, leading all Stars defenseman in both categories.

At this point, it is still somewhat unlikely that he will get into any games for Team Canada at this event, but it is still an honor to be called upon and an indication that he may become a mainstay on future teams for his country.