The Columbus Blue Jackets have decided to replace assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre because he refuses to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Lefebvre is replaced on Brad Larsen’s instructor staff by Steve McCarthy because “Lefebvre has decided not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and therefore will not be able to perform the tasks requested of him, given the current protocols of the NHL, ”the team statement said.
NHL coaches and other team personnel who interact closely with players should be fully immunized.
“Although we are disappointed, we respect the fact that this decision is personal to Sylvain and we wish him good luck,” said Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.
Lefebvre, 53, a former NHL defenseman and long-time American Hockey League coach, joined Larsen’s staff in late June when the former assistant replaced the fired John Tortorella.
Previously, he was an assistant coach with the San Diego Gulls for the previous three seasons. He was also the head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs (2012-2015), the Saint-Jean IceCaps (2015-2017) and the Laval Rocket (2017-2018). He began his coaching career as an assistant with the Lake Erie Monsters from 2007-2009 and he also served as an assistant with the Colorado Avalanche from 2009 to 2012.
McCarthy is a former NHL defenseman who was promoted from the Cleveland Monsters, the team’s American League affiliate, and for whom he was the assistant coach.
“Steve has done a great job with our young defensemen in Cleveland over the past five years and he’s ready for this opportunity,” Larsen said.
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