Jesse Ylenen had already hit a wall

Jesse Ylenn was one of the most intriguing opportunities at this Montreal Canadians Rookie Camp. With a second-round pick in the 2018 draft (35th overall), Finn hopes to knock on the big club door after a season of 17 points (9 goals, 8 assists) in 29 games last year with a racket from Laval.

But Ylönen had already hit a wall. The right wing refused to vaccinate against COVID-19. If the vaccine remains a personal choice, this decision will seriously complicate the life of the young hockey player.

Since the rookie camp began, Ylenen still has not worn the Hobbs uniform. Laval Rocket head coach Jean-Franకోois Howell has sidelined him for two games with the Ottawa Senators.

After a 4-3 defeat in this second game, Howell is running over the egg shells to talk about the Eileen case.

“We’re going to handle this as best we can,” Howell said. We respect what the NHL says, we follow protocols. It was Ylenen’s personal decision. ”

Since he had not received two doses of the vaccine, Ylenen went into quarantine when he arrived in Canada. He completed his solo season, but has not skated enough to wear his team uniform in the game for the past few days.

The CEO has to make a decision

From a simple logistical point of view, Ylenen is in a very sensitive position. He may not be allowed to travel to the United States. The Rocket will play 22 of its 72 games on American soil.

While American League leaders have not yet fully finalized their protocol for COVID-19, NHL leaders have already established strict rules against unvaccinated players.

The NHL allows its vaccinated players to play, but there are many obstacles in their path. If border restrictions prevent them from traveling or if they are exposed to COVID-19 due to non-compliance with protocols, they will be suspended without pay.

In such a case, can Ylönen spend the next season without receiving his vaccine? “I don’t know,” Howell replied. It all depends on what Mark Bergewin wants to do. “

Howell made it clear that he did not have time to sit down with his young hope to talk to him.

“I didn’t talk to him,” he said. It is a personal choice. ”

Rafael Harvey-Pinard, another great CH hopeful in the camp, described hockey player Ylenen.

“It’s a big loss, we want to see it with us,” Harvey-Pinard said. Jesse is a player who makes an impact on the team. He has great offensive skills, but also defensively. He is the man we use in all areas of the game. It is important that he is there for us. “

The Lefebvre case in Columbus

In Columbus, the Blue Jackets released Sylvain Lefebvre before the start of camp. Not vaccinated for personal reasons, Lefebvre lost a three-year contract as an assistant to Brad Larsen. Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekelinen defended the removal of Lefebvre by failing to carry out his order as a coffin.

“We had to end our association because he could not do his job,” Kekelinen told Athletic. We need a coach. If you are not vaccinated, you will not be able to do your job Train box. You can’t be in the locker room, you can’t be in the coach’s room, you can’t be on the bench, you can’t be with us on the plane … we need a coach. ”