The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that they have asked forward Zac Rinaldo to leave the team's entourage, as he does not want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. He will report to the Cleveland Monsters camp in the AHL, the Jackets' training club.
According to Rinaldo, he is not anti-vaccine or anti-mask, but rather a strong supporter of free will.
Rinaldo is one of the last players in the NHL who was likely to throw down the gloves frequently. Players of his style are becoming rare today. The Jackets obviously did not want to overlook the fact that Rinaldo is not vaccinated. They are not messing around with the virus that caused a worldwide pandemic. The Ohio organization removed assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre on September 13 for the same reasons.