The Winnipeg Jets will return from the Olympic break with their top defenceman on the shelf.
Winnipeg placed Josh Morrissey on injured reserve Tuesday, the team announced. The move was made retroactive to Feb. 12.
In a corresponding move, the Jets recalled defenceman Kale Clague from the AHL's Manitoba Moose.
Morrissey sustained an upper-body injury during Canada's first game in Milan against Czechia and did not return for the remainder of the tournament.
Head coach Scott Arniel ruled Morrissey out for Wednesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.
Additionally, defenceman Neal Pionk and forward Nino Niederreiter are both considered week-to-week.
The exact nature of the injury is unclear. Morrissey will meet with Jets doctors upon his return to evaluate next steps, per Arniel.
Morrissey also missed the 4 Nations Face-Off final due to illness, and was knocked out of Winnipeg's ensuing playoff run early due to a knee injury.
He has appeared in all 56 Jets games this season, notching 10 goals and 32 assists.
Clague, 27, has yet to appear in a game for the Jets this season. In 44 AHL games this season, the Regina native has eight goals and 13 assists.
Pionk hasn't suited up since Jan. 13 due to a lower-body injury after he blocked a shot with his foot two games prior to being sidelined. The 30-year-old put up two goals and six assists through 40 games before his injury absence.
Niederreiter, meanwhile, has an undisclosed injury after playing for Switzerland at the Winter Olympics.
In some good news for the Jets, star forward Kyle Connor was back at practice after helping the U.S. bring home a gold medal. He is expected to be in the lineup Wednesday against the Canucks.
Connor sits second on the team in goals (25), assists (39) and points (64).
Winnipeg (22-26-8) returns to action sitting seventh in the Central Division with 52 points.
After visiting Vancouver Wednesday, Winnipeg stays on the west coast for dates with the Anaheim Ducks on Friday and the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.
