Scary Moment for the Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Rostislav Klesla (Photo by Dave Gainer/The Hockey Writers)

     In the waning minutes of the first period on Monday evening in Columbus, Rostislav Klesla was gathering in a puck at the blue line as St. Louis’ Barrett Jackman ploughed into, and then on top of him. Klesla lay on the ice for roughly five minutes as team personnel, including team physician Dr. Larry Watson, tended to him. He was helped off the ice by fellow Czech-mates Jan Hejda and Jake Voracek. Columbus players said later that they could hear Klesla screaming from accross the ice on the bench.

     Klesla was placed on a stretcher by Columbus Fire Department paramedics in the tunnel behind the team bench. He was then taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital for an MRI. It was initially thought that the injury was to his lower left leg or ankle. Tests revealed that it was a torn groin. Klesla will be out for approximately 4-6 weeks.

     Coach Ken Hitchcock, addressing the media after the game, said that “Rusty is the heart and soul” of this team. Through 26 games he’s 2-6-8 and a +/- of -7. Mike Commodore will likely be reunited with Hejda as the top defensive pairing in Klesla’s absense.

The Blue Jackets have confirmed that Klesla has a torn left groin and a torn stomach muscle. He’s likely looking at a minimum of missing 6 weeks (23 games). Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson has not actively started looking for a defenseman to replace Klesla at this time. Mathieu Roy was brought up from the minor league Syracuse Crunch on an emergency recall.