COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced their 22-man roster for the start of the 2025-26 NHL season, as confirmed by club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell.

The roster includes 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders.

Dean Evason is entering his second year as head coach after nearly leading the Blue Jackets to the NHL playoffs last season. Boone Jenner will be back to start the season after missing the first 56 games last year due to an injury suffered during training camp. Jenner was very productive in his 26 games, however, scoring 7 goals and earning 19 points.

One of the biggest question marks heading into the season will be between the pipes. Towards the end of last season, Jet Greaves soared into the spotlight, helping propel the Jackets into a late playoff push. He was named the NHL’s First Star for the week ending on April 13 after having a .968 SV% and only allowing one goal per game, including a shutout, over the three straight wins.

Zach Werenski leads the defense after one of the best seasons in club history, becoming the first defenseman ever to lead the team in scoring. He broke his own records for defensemen goals (23), assists (59), and points (82). He ranked second among NHL Defensemen in goals and points (Cale Makar – Colorado) and finished as a finalist for the Norris Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL’s top defenseman.

Forwards:

#3 Charlie Coyle
#4 Cole Sillinger
#10 Dmitri Voronkov
#11 Miles Wood
#19 Adam Fantilli
#21 Isac Lundestrom
#23 Sean Monahan
#24 Mathieu Olivier
#26 Zach Aston-Reese
#38 Boone Jenner
#59 Yegor Chinakhov
#86 Kirill Marchenko
#91 Kent Johnson

Defensemen:

#2 Jake Christiansen
#5 Denton Mateychuk
#8 Zach Werenski
$9 Ivan Provorov
#15 Dante Fabbro
#44 Erik Gudbranson
#78 Damon Severson

Goalies:

#73 Jet Greaves
#90 Elvis Merzlikins

The Blue Jackets will kick off their 25th Anniversary season on Thursday, Oct. 9, against Nashville at Bridgestone Arena, with the game starting at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can catch live coverage on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio and the FanDuel Sports Network app, with the pre-game show beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The game will also be broadcast on the Blue Jackets Radio Network, and in Columbus on 97.1 The Fan.

Bob McElligott returns to the radio booth this season, along with Dylan Tyrer.

Steve Mears and Jody Shelley will return to the Fanduel broadcasts this season.