The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Monday that they have replaced assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre after he refused to get a vaccine shot for COVID-19.
Lefebvre was brought on by Brad Larsen after he was named head coach in June.
The team announced that it has promoted Steve McCarthy from the Cleveland Monsters to replace Lefebvre, whose decision runs afoul of new NHL protocols.
“Steve has done a great job working with our young defensemen in Cleveland the past five years and is ready for this opportunity,” said Larsen. “He is a really bright, young coach with a great work ethic and I’m excited about what he will bring to our staff.