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CBJ Traverse City News and Notes

September 12, 2021, 9:06 AM ET [5 Comments]
Zak MacMillan
Columbus Blue Jackets Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Lots of announcements and transactions happening around the Columbus Blue Jackets in the hockey world. The Blue Jackets have injury news and returns; developmental notes; and some big words ahead of the season.

Traverse City

As announced by the club, the annual Traverse City Torunament is being held before the preseason, and it includes the Columbus Blue Jackets prospects, plus some invitees.

The whole roster is as follows:

Forwards:

Tyler Angle
Ben Boyd
Yegor Chinakov
Josh Dunne
Cole Fonstad
Jake Gaudet
Kaleb Lawerence
James Malatesta
Carson Meyer
Tristian Mullin
Narvin Mutter
Peter Reynolds
Martin Rysay
Cole Sillinger


Defenders:

Tim Breni
Ole Bjorgvik-Holm
Jake Christiansen
Cole Clayton
Gerard Keane
Stanislav Svozil
Mark Woolley

Goalkeepers

Emerik Despaite
Jet Greaves

Notable cutoffs that aren’t participating in the tournament are forward Kent Johnson and defenseman Carson Culeumans. The American players are keeping forward with their progress in the collegiate program at this time, and getting prepared for their upcoming seasons. Chinakov is the most professionally ready player on this roster at this time, as he played games in the minors and burning the first year of the entry-level contract.

Peter Reynolds is the biggest surprise on this roster as a tournament invitee, as he was highly touted in this past draft, and yet was not taken. Expect him to be taken in the 2022 Entry Draft.


Injury Notes

Starting with the rough and rowdy notes the Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that winger Nathan Gerbe is out of action for the next 4-6 month as he is getting hip surgery. The Sabres draft pick also played with Carolina in his career, besides with the Union Blue.

The club also announced that winger Gustav Nyqvist is cleared to return to play. Nyqvist has not played a game since November 2019. The Swedish winger has another two years remaining on his contract. The former Red Wing was dealt to the San Jose Sharks before signing with Columbus. Hope around the team is he is in their top 6 this year.


Elvis Vows

In a recent interview with the Athletic, Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlkins is making a commitment to win the Veznia Trophy in the 2021-2022 regular season in honor of the late Matiss Kivlenikes. Kivi passed away in July 4 after a firework explosion in Michigan. The blast hit him in the chest. The Latvian goaltender was only 24 years young.

Merzlikins also unveiled his new mask for this year on the Columbus media pages. Merzi had the Joker in honor of his mask; the Latvian flag; and Kivlenikes’ jersey number with angel wings in his honor.

Thoughts on the Columbus moves?


More to come...
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