Jenner could be out for season for Blue Jackets after shoulder surgery

Jenner could be out for season for Blue Jackets after shoulder surgery

Forward injured during practice Oct. 4; Voronkov projected back by end of November

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Boone Jenner will be out 5-6 months for the Columbus Blue Jackets after having shoulder surgery Wednesday.

The 31-year-old forward was injured during practice Oct. 4. He will soon begin rehabilitation with the hope of returning before the end of the regular season, general manager Don Waddell said.

Jenner was named Blue Jackets captain Oct. 12, 2021. Defenseman Zach Werenski became an alternate the same day, and defenseman Erik Gudbranson and forward Sean Kuraly were appointed to the position before the start of last season.

“His loss will be felt by our club, but we have a strong leadership group in place and players will be given an opportunity to take on greater roles on and off the ice,” Waddell said.

Jenner had 35 points (22 goals, 13 assists) in 58 games last season and is the franchise leader in games (715) and ranks third in goals (192) and points (364). He was selected by Columbus in the second round (No. 37) of the 2011 NHL Draft.

Dmitri Voronkov is projected to return by the end of November. The 24-year-old forward does not need surgery for an upper-body injury sustained during a 3-1 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 3.

The Blue Jackets begin the regular season at the Minnesota Wild on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; BSWIX, BSN, BSOH).