Hold the phone... Quinn Hughes not allowed to join Team USA just yet!

UPDATE 4: Hold the phone... despite earlier reports that superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes is set to join team USA to replace Charlie McAvoy, that isn't necessarily the case says NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

Daly tells NHL insider Pierre LeBrun that Hughes can travel to Boston but that he can't officially join the team unless they suffer another injury.

So, in effect, this is exactly the same scenario that Canada faced with Thomas Harley, who was called in to replace Shea Theodore. Harley wasn't allowed to join Canada for practice until Cale Makar was also out with injury. It appears that Hughes will face the same rules.

Read below for our other three updates on this rapidly developing story.

UPDATE 3: According to team USA head coach Mike Sullivan, the team has recalled Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes to replace Charlie McAvoy for Thursday's game.

Hughes, of course, was originally named to the team but dropped out after suffering a minor injury just prior to the tournament. Evidently he's healthy enough to suit up on Thursday evening.

UPDATE 2: The Boston Bruins have released a statement confirming that defenseman Charlie McAvoy is undergoing testing at Mass General Hospital for an upper body injury and that he will be unavailable to play Thursday evening against Canada.

Charlie was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday to undergo testing related to an upper-body injury sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off and is currently being evaluated by Boston Bruins Head Team Physician Dr. Peter Asnis. He will not play for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game on Thursday at TD Garden. The Boston Bruins will provide further updates on his condition and status as soon as they become available.

Read below for our earlier reports on this developing story.

UPDATE: NHL insider Frank Seravalli reports that Charlie McAvoy's evening in Mass General Hospital had to do with an infection that stemmed from a minor injury.

Thankfully, it doesn't appear to be serious and there's no long-term concern for his health. His status for Thursday's championship game against Canada though is still in doubt.

From Seravalli:

Stay tuned for more confirmed reports of this morning's news or read below for our earlier reports, published as events occurred.

According to a shocking report from The Boston Globe, Team USA and Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy had been admitted to a Boston area hospital yesterday evening.

From the Boston Globe:

Bruins, Team USA defenseman Charlie McAvoy admitted to Mass. General, according to two sources.

The Yanks are hurting.

Charlie McAvoy was admitted to Mass. General Hospital Monday night as Team USA was battling Team Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off at TD Garden, two sources familiar with the situation confirmed.

Team USA coach Mike Sullivan, who is also McAvoy’s father-in-law, said following the American’s 2-1 loss that the Bruins defenseman is dealing with an upper-body injury.

- Jim McBride

Suffice it to say, this is a HUGE development for USA with a 4 Nations Face-Off championship game against Canada on Thursday. More importantly though, we just pray for McAvoy's health. 

I won't speculate too much on the nature of his injury/illness, but it's worth noting that he has undergone procedures in the past to correct an irregular heart beat. He has also been dealing with shoulder issues for much of this season.

Again, we can only speculate on McAvoy's status, which seems unfair at this point. Until we get confirmation on his health from the Bruins, expected later today, we can't publish any details of his injury and/or illness.

Stay tuned for breaking news developments, as they occurr.