Rangers’ Adam Fox on shocking Team USA Olympics snub: 'It’s not what you want to hear'

Adam Fox received the call from Minnesota Wild and Team USA GM Bill Guerin on Wednesday.

The Rangers’ All-Star defenseman was informed that he did not receive a spot on the initial 25-man roster to represent his country in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

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It’s an extremely shocking fall for Fox, who was among the first skaters announced on the American squad for the NHL’s Four Nations Face-Off last year.

“Obviously it’s disappointing,” Fox said at Thursday’s practice. “It’s not what you want to hear, but it is what it is.”

The Jericho native had some struggles during the Four Nations tournament, but he felt he has played well enough so far this season to keep hold of his spot on the roster.

Fox, of course, just missed 14 games due to an upper-body injury but remains in the top-15 among NHL defenseman with 28 points on the year.

He’s also third in points at his position since making his debut.

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“I thought my play was worthy of it and my track record as well,” Fox said. “But it’s out of my hands at a certain point -- the decision is the decision, and I guess that’s just how it goes.”

Fox has had discussions about the decision with head coach Mike Sullivan, who will also be behind the bench for the USA squad again this year.

Sullivan, GM Chris Drury, and assistant David Quinn were said to have made a push for the 27-year-old to make the cut, but understood Guerin had the final decision.

“These teams that are being picked are the best of the best,” the head coach said. “There are so many good players and there are very, very difficult decisions that have to be made. It is a collaborative effort on everybody’s part, and that’s just the reality of the circumstances.”