A lot of people have made the mistake of doubting Brock Boeser in his nine-year career. And now you can add Team USA to that mix.

Boeser’s name was left off the final list of 13 forwards the Americans will be taking to the first-ever 4 Nations Cup in Montreal and Boston. His Canucks teammates Quinn Hughes and J.T. Miller both got the call from GM Bill Guerin, while Elias Pettersson and Kevin Lankinen will each be representing Sweden and Finland, respectively.

Boeser’s no stranger to USA Hockey, having suited up for their World Junior team in 2016. And his contributions to the Canucks have only become more crucial over time, cemented by his 40 goals in 2023-24 and team-leading 12 points in the playoffs before being diagnosed with blood clots. Being left off the final roster might say more about the depth Team USA has to pull from than Boeser himself, but it’s still another in a long list of examples where Boeser’s talents have gone underappreciated.

In previous seasons, Boeser’s injury history and inconsistency that came with it have made different Canucks’ front offices question if he belongs in their future long-term plans. That nearly came to a head two years ago when Boeser was almost a healthy scratch before a Dec. 3 game against the Coyotes. Had someone not pointed out it was Hockey Fights Cancer night — a game close to Boeser’s heart after his father Duke passed away after a battle with cancer —  and the coaching staff having a last-minute change of heart, it’s possible Boeser might not still be a Canuck today.

That perceived need for a change of scenery suddenly disappeared, and both Boeser and the Canucks are so much better for it. Brock has rather quietly become one of the Canucks’ most reliable forwards night in and night out, reaching his apex during the 2024 playoffs with some extremely clutch goals against both Nashville and Edmonton. Now he’s helping Hughes and Pettersson steer the ship while Thatcher Demko and Miller are sidelined.

The Burnsville, Minnesota native’s game isn’t the flashiest, which might’ve been to his detriment when it came to scouting for Team USA. Wingers like Matthew Tkachuk, Kyle Connor and even his teammate Miller have edgier styles of play, a staple of several USA teams in previous international tournaments. But Boeser’s ability to fly under the radar of opponents is exactly what makes him such a lethal scorer, and one that could’ve made a difference for the Americans against the likes of Canada, Sweden, and Finland.

The good news for Brock is that there will be other opportunities. There’s a lot of hockey still to play between now and mid-February, and if an injury leaves Team USA with an open roster spot, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Boeser isn’t among the top replacement candidates. And there’s a full calendar year to go before the 2026 Winter Olympics, where NHL players will make their return after missing the previous two.

Boeser is a player who thrives on proving people wrong, whether it’s about his long-term durability, reaching 40 goals in a season, or his overall importance to the Canucks’ success. And if Team USA has chosen to bet against Brock Boeser, it’s a decision that many before — and likely a fair few in the future — end up regretting.