Blue Jackets Activate Defenseman Ivan Provorov Off Injured Reserve

On Saturday, the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that they had activated veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov off of injured reserve. The blueliner was acquired in 2023 from the Flyers in a massive three-way trade that netted the Blue Jackets Provorov, a reliable defender.

Since he arrived in Columbus three years ago, he's played 246 games in union blue, recording 96 points (21 goals, 75 assists) and 83 penalty minutes on the team's top-four. 

Provorov missed the first 11 games of the NHL season after dealing with a lower-body injury suffered in a pre-season game against the Detroit Red Wings on Sept. 26th. 

The Russian-born defenseman was selected 7th overall in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, where he began his career. 

A native of Yaroslavl, Russia, the 6-1, 224-pound defenseman has registered 21-75-96, 83 PIM and 365 shots on 23:27 TOI in 246 appearances with the Blue Jackets since being acquired as part of a three-team trade with the Flyers and Los Angeles Kings on June 6, 2023.

2025-26

In 2025-26, Provorov played a full 82-game season for the Blue Jackets, recording 31 points (9 goals, 22 assists), 32 PIMs, and an average time on ice of 24:49. Last season, he led the Blue Jackets in blocked shots with 134. 

With Provorov returning to the lineup, the team can find some stability on the blueline that's been missing as they've utilized Jake Christiansen to fill the gap in his absence. 

In 778 career NHL games, Provorov has recorded 313 points (86 goals, 227 assists), a minus-14 rating, and 279 PIMS. 

According to Ed Francis of 1st Ohio Battery, Provorov will slot into the lineup tonight against the Dallas Stars, 'pending any 'setbacks'.