Columbus Blue Jackets assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre has been dropped from his position in the team after refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as per the team’s policy, Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced.
“Per NHL protocol, he is unable to do the job we hired him for,” Kekalainen explained in a statement to the press. This follows the arrival of a memo from the NHL last month that stated that any person whose job requires them to be within 12 feet of club hockey operations personnel, including players, are to be fully vaccinated.
Steve McCarthy, who is currently the HAHL Cleveland Monsters associate coach, will be promoted to the Blue Jackets staff to serve as Lefebvre’s replacement.
Head coach Brad Larsen has expressed confidence in McCarthy’s ability to step up to the plate in his new role, explaining: “Steve has done a great job working with our young defensemen in Cleveland the past five years and is ready for this opportunity. He is a really bright, young coach with a great work ethic and I’m excited about what he will bring to our staff.”
Lefebvre is the second NHL assistant coach to leave his role as the result of COVID-19 vaccination policies. San Jose Sharks associate coach Rocky Thompson left the team due to a medical exemption that prevents him from receiving a vaccination.
