Boone Jenner: Mike Babcock antics brought Blue Jackets ‘together’

Boone Jenner: Mike Babcock antics brought Blue Jackets ‘together’

Mike Babcock has been essentially kicked out of office once again, and this time it’s creepy. After the smoke cleared on the Babcock situation, Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner says the Babcock situation brought the team closer together.

Jenner, 30, became one of the first people to defend the former head coach after the rumors surfaced.

“While meeting with Babs he asked me about my family and where I’m from, my upcoming wedding and hockey-related stuff,” he said. “He then asked if I had pictures of my family and I was happy to share some with him. He showed me pictures of his family.

“I thought it was a great first meeting and good way for us to start to build a relationship. To have this blown out of proportion is truly disappointing.”

Now, with Babcock out of the picture, the Blue Jackets are closer together than before.

“I think the past week has really probably brought us together closer,” he said, according to NHL.com’s Jeff Svoboda.“I am proud of the group for that, to be honest. It’s a different situation. No one has ever been in this spot.”

But Jenner isn’t the only member of the organization who is ready to get the show on the road and focus on hockey-related things. Newly hired head coach Pascal Vincent showed enthusiasm when taking over the franchise for now.

“We’re going to move on,” Vincent said. “I know our players have been working extremely hard this summer. I know what we did as coaches, and our focus right now is we are looking ahead. What can we do today to get ready for tomorrow?”

Columbus starts puck drop for the official preseason on Sept. 24 against the Pittsburgh Penguins at 1:00 p.m. ET.

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