Blue Jackets coach resigns after refusing to receive vaccine

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Monday that newly-hired assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre will not be joining the team for the 2021-22 season after he decline to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In his place, the team announced that former NHL defenceman Steve McCarthy has been promoted from their AHL team in Cleveland.

"Lefebvre has decided not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and thus will not be able to perform the duties required of him given current NHL protocols." The Blue Jackets said in a statement.

"While we are disappointed, we respect that this decision is a personal one for Sylvain and wish him well," said club General Manager and Alternate Governor Jarmo Kekalainen. "We feel fortunate to have an outstanding coach join our club in Steve McCarthy, who has played in this league, won championships as a player and been an important member of our hockey operations department as an assistant coach in Cleveland."

Back in August, the NHL announced that all staff members of an organization will need to be fully vaccineated prior to the 2021-22 season. Since that announcement, two coaches have stepped down, Sylvain Lefebvre and San Jose Sharks associate coach Rocky Thompson.

RELATED: BLUE JACKETS GM: SYLVAIN LEFEBVRE DIDN'T QUIT, HE WAS FIRED

UPDATE: @monstershockey Associate Coach Steve McCarthy has replaced Sylvain Lefebvre as an assistant coach on Head Coach Brad Larsen's staff.https://t.co/1mmyYUjFGt— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) September 13, 2021

Source: Columbus Blue Jackets

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