Canada’s Alex Pietrangelo withdraws from 4 Nations Face-Off

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has withdrawn from the 4 Nations Face-Off due to an undisclosed injury and to prepare for the rest of the NHL season with the Vegas Golden Knights, the club announced in a statement Sunday.

Pietrangelo was selected to represent Canada when 4 Nations Face-Off rosters were finalized in December. He is the first player to withdraw from the event.

Pietrangelo, a 35-year-old blueliner, was sidelined for three games earlier this season due to an upper-body injury. Pietrangelo has been productive in the Golden Knights’ backend, collecting three goals and 25 points while averaging a team-high 22:41 of ice time.