COLUMBUS — The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Saturday that defenseman Ivan Provorov has been activated from injured reserve ahead of the team's 8 p.m. ET matchup against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old has missed all 11 games this season while recovering from a lower-body injury.
Provorov suffered the injury during a September 26 preseason game against the Detroit Red Wings and was placed on injured reserve October 1. His activation gives Columbus the option of returning one of its most experienced defensemen to the lineup after opening the season with a 5-6-0 record.
Last season, Provorov appeared in all 82 games, recording nine goals and 22 assists for 31 points. He led Columbus with 134 blocked shots and averaged 24:49 of ice time per game, ranking second on the team and 10th in the NHL.
Since joining Columbus in a June 2023 trade, Provorov has appeared in 246 games, recording 21 goals and 75 assists. He has played 778 NHL games overall, providing the Blue Jackets with another veteran option on their defensive pairings.
Provorov is expected to make his season debut against Dallas, although his participation remains a game-time decision, nor should it be expected that he would play as much as he normally would given that it's his first game back. Head coach Rick Bowness indicated Columbus could use 11 forwards and seven defensemen if Provorov plays.
The Blue Jackets face the Stars at American Airlines Center in Dallas, with the game televised on the Blue Jackets Hockey Network.
