The Columbus Blue Jackets and general manager Don Waddell announced an injury to an important part of their team. The Blue Jackets are set to open their 2024-25 regular season tonight versus the Minnesota Wild. However, they will be a man short. Their leader and captain, Boone Jenner, will be sidelined with a shoulder injury that required surgery. He had the surgery yesterday. Even though there is no exact timetable for his expected return, GM Waddell assured reporters it will be sometime during the 2024-25 campaign.
The #CBJ announce that captain Boone Jenner underwent shoulder surgery yesterday. No specific timetable for recovery provided, but GM Don Waddell hopes that Jenner "can return before the end of the season."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 10, 2024
Boone Jenner to Miss Time Following Shoulder Surgery to Repair Injury
The Blue Jackets have dealt with a lot of adversity over the past while. In contrast, one constant has been the presence of their now captain, Boone Jenner. Jenner played his first full season as a rookie with Columbus back in 2013-14. Since that time, some 11 years later, he has amassed 715 career regular season and 37 playoff games with the organization. His career-high was 30 goals, back in 2015-16. However, his past three seasons, he has consistently had 22 or more goals, and at least 35 points. Furthermore, over those three seasons, he has been over 20 minutes of average ice time for each of them as well. He plays a hard game too, and if you averaged out his hit totals over an 82-game schedule, he has 186 for his career mean. He is one of, if not, the undisputed leaders of the group.
What Does This Mean for Columbus?
Columbus is an organization in flux. Bringing in Waddell to replace Jarmo Kekalainen was the initiation of that process. Thus far, under Waddell’s guidance, the team has seen many changes. That’s not to mention the terrible, off-season tragedy that saw the passing of Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau. However, the team has something to play for. Now, with a veteran like Jenner out of the line, and expectations lessened, their young, developing forwards can focus on just that, personal growth and development. Jenner’s absence will especially be seen down the middle. This means a great opportunity for those young centres. Names like Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger, who are both under the age of 22, will especially look to take on more responsibility.
Main Photo Credit: Jason Mowry – USA TODAY Sports
