The Columbus Blue Jackets will be without another key roster member for the foreseeable future.
On Monday morning, Blue Jackets forward Jakub Voracek spoke to reporters in a scheduled media availability at Nationwide Arena to clarify his health status, announcing that he will be out of the team’s lineup indefinitely due to concussion symptoms, and that a timetable for his return is unclear.
“Obviously, I’m going to make my best efforts to try to (return), but it might be a long process,” Voracek told reporters.
“As of now, I don’t see myself playing in the near future, but I’ll do everything in my power to try to get back on the ice.”
Voracek said concussions have followed him throughout his professional career. The 33-year-old said he has suffered roughly seven or eight “documented concussions” during his time in the NHL, without even taking into account, “those little ones when you’re not sure.”
Losing Voracek for this season, and perhaps even forever, serves as a massive blow to a Blue Jackets team already dealing with a depleted roster. In November, the team reported that star defenseman Zach Werenski would miss the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign with a torn labrum that required surgery, while fellow blueliner Jake Bean will also be lost indefinitely with a shoulder ailment of his own that will take approximately four-to-six months to heal.
According to The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline, some are even speculating that Voracek has already played his last NHL game, with the 15-year veteran possibly having suffered two different concussions this season alone.
The Blue Jackets are clearly taking a cautious approach when it comes to Voracek’s health, which is the priority above all other on-ice factors.
Needless to say, the hockey world unanimously wishes Voracek a speedy recovery.
News Summary:
- Blue Jackets’ Voracek Out Long-Term with Concussion Symptoms
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