Meyer makes it from Powell to Jackets lineup
This time, Carson Meyer isn’t with the Blue Jackets as a “game time” contingency.
After walking into the Blue Jackets’ locker room Monday at Nationwide Arena, a day after being recalled from the Cleveland Monsters, Meyer saw his name in the lineup against the Boston Bruins. It was the culmination of a journey that’s taken Meyer, 24, from Powell to the NHL via stints with the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets youth program, Miami University, Ohio State and the American Hockey League with Cleveland.
“You’re going to be happy no matter where your first game is, but it’s just that much more special at the rink I grew up coming to and cheering on the Blue Jackets,” Meyer said. “I’ve come to so many games with my dad here, and now my dad’s going to be in the stands along with ... I don’t even know how many family members are going to try and come. They’re all going to get to watch me tonight and it’s hard to put into words.”
Ed Gingher, president of the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets, will also be watching.
Gingher coached Meyer along with six other program alums who’ve made it to the NHL, including Blue Jackets forwards Sean Kuraly and Jack Roslovic. Meyer is also the fourth AAA Blue Jackets alum to play for the Blue Jackets, joining Roslovic, Kuraly and former Columbus forward Kole Sherwood.
“I think it’s pretty incredible that there’s now three of us from the same youth organization on the same team here in the NHL, and I think it’s just kind of a testament to what Ed Gingher’s done with the program,” Meyer said. “Hopefully he’s on the glass, so he can see us in warmups. I think we’re going to try and get a picture before the game, all three of us together, because I’m not sure if something like this will ever happen again. … It’s pretty special.”
Meyer has spent most of this season in Cleveland, where he had 16 goals, 11 assists, 27 points and 63 penalty minutes in 57 games. His only prior NHL experience
was in preseason games plus an emergency recall by the Blue Jackets on Feb. 9 in Buffalo when Patrik Laine had a hand/ wrist injury. Laine wound up playing in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Sabres, so Meyer returned to Cleveland after taking pregame warmup at Keybank Center.
This time, he and his family were a little more prepared when the call arrived at noon Sunday. His mother, Holly, didn’t miss his call the second time around, after missing his initial call in February.
“She picks up on the first ring now every time,” Meyer said, laughing. “I was obviously real excited about it. Called my mom, as usual, and then I found out this
morning when I got to the rink, when the lineup was posted, that I’d be playing. So, I sent off a text to my family before getting on the ice and I haven’t checked my phone yet, so I’m excited to see what they all had to say.”
Jackets get Larsen, Werenski back; lose Chinakhov, Vincent
Meyer’s NHL debut wasn’t the only update the Blue Jackets issued at the morning skate.
Others included coach Brad Larsen returning from a COVID-19 infection, assistant coach Pascal Vincent starting COVID protocols Monday — after filling in for Larsen — defenseman Zach Werenski returning from an upper-body injury and rookie forward Yegor Chinakhov not playing because of an upper-body injury.
Werenski and Larsen each missed three games.
Assistant coach Steve Mccarthy also remains in isolation under COVID protocol.