Columbus Blue Jackets News And Notes

With the Columbus Blue Jackets training camp set to open on September 16, it is the lull between the NHL offseason and the start of a new season. For the Columbus Blue Jackets and the summer of discontent, that means a few more weeks until the focus shifts to on-ice only. There is still news to report in the meantime.

The Blue Jackets announced some front office moves this week regarding amateur scouting and the training staff. Villie Siren, who had been the organization’s head of amateur scouting for 13 years, has shifted to Director of European Scouting, while Trevor Timmins takes over as the Director of Amateur Scouting.

18-year Blue Jackets head trainer Mike Vogt stepped down but will remain with the organization as an assistant athletic trainer, while Tom Bourdon, who was with the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate Cleveland Monsters, takes over as head trainer.

The Blue Jackets announced that goalie Elvis Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery this past week, and it was successful. The surgery means Merzlikins will miss games to start the season. How many games is unknown at this time.

From September 12-15, the Blue Jackets are sending prospects to Detroit to play in a prospects tournament at Little Caesars Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars are sending prospects as well, along with the host Red Wings.

While things have slowed down, things are still happening, and soon prospect tournaments will give way to training camps.