Columbus Blue Jackets Suspend Forward Indefinitely

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced the team has suspended forward Gregory Hofmann on Monday. The news comes after Hofmann had stepped away from the team for personal reasons and apparently has yet to rejoin the hockey club. 

NEWS: #CBJ have suspended forward Gregory Hofmann.https://t.co/5rVkjUKjGJ

— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) January 10, 2022

Blue Jackets general manager and alternate governor Jarmo Kekalainen commented on the news Monday afternoon:

Gregory was given permission by the club to step away for personal reasons and informed us today that because of those reasons he has decided not to return. Obviously, we are disappointed, but we have no other recourse than to suspend him

The 29-year-old forward signed one-year contract with the Blue Jackets last offseason after being acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes via trade. He last played on Dec. 14 against the Vancouver Canucks and was having a decent season, recording two goals and five assists and a +6 plus/minus rating in 24 games. 

The Swiss born winger was a former fourth-round pick of the Hurricanes and has spent all but this season playing professionally in Europe. Smells to me like this could be the end of Hofmann's NHL tenure.

Photo credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports