Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov’s remarkable injury luck finally runs out

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov has been placed on injured reserve for the first time in his 10-year NHL career. The injury occurred after Provorov blocked a shot off his left ankle during the team's final preseason game. It marks the first time in 781 eligible career games that he will miss a contest due to an injury, having previously sat out only three games because of a positive COVID test.

Provorov's absence leaves the Blue Jackets severely depleted on defense, joining Damon Severson and Dante Fabbro on injured reserve with week-to-week designations. Head coach Rick Bowness indicated Severson will miss at least the first three games. To fill out the six healthy defensemen on the roster, Emil Andrae, Carson Soucy, and Jake Christiansen will enter the lineup.