Zac Rinaldo Not Allowed At Columbus Blue Jackets Training Camp

The Columbus Blue Jackets have notified forward Zac Rinaldo he will not be welcomed at training camp this week. Rinaldo is not fully vaccinated and the team is not open to having him attend camp.

Rinaldo will still be paid a guaranteed salary of $300,000. https://t.co/gb0aEoxcBq

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 21, 2021

Last season Rinaldo played for the Calgary Flames, appearing in four games and didn't record a point. Rinaldo is known for his toughness and playing on the edge.  

“Forward Zac Rinaldo, who we signed to a two-way contract this summer, is not vaccinated and because of that – and that’s his decision – the plan is to start him in the American Hockey League and he will not be coming to our training camp.”

- John Davidson of @BlueJacketsNHL

— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) September 21, 2021

I hope Zac Rinaldo had a fun time at the rally pic.twitter.com/HYqCwd4vnu

— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) September 21, 2021

Rinaldo is the first player to be told to leave over vaccination protocols. The rugged forward now heads to the AHL and this is certainly a story line to follow as we await Rinaldo's comments.

Here's what the Blue Jackets will be missing:

 

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Columbus Blue Jackets player Zac Rinaldo gave a short speech against vaccine passports at a PPC party rally this week.

“I’m not anti-vax, I’m not anti-mask. I’m pro choice.”

Interesting given CBJ just fired a coach for not being vaccinated. https://t.co/xDPje86TyQ

— Mack Lamoureux (@MackLamoureux) September 17, 2021