After injury-plagued 2023-24, is Adam Boqvist heading in the 'right direction' with Blue Jackets?
For Adam Boqvist, 27 was just the number he was given. It’s the number that has been on his sweater since his days with the Chicago Blackhawks as the team’s No. 8 pick in the 2018 NHL draft.
But after two seasons with the Blue Jackets, including an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign that limited the defenseman to 35 games, Boqvist is pushing for a number change, anything that could change his luck and keep him on the ice.
“I think, hopefully, that can help a little bit,” said Boqvist, who turns 24 in August. “You know, a lot of hockey players are superstitious.”
Having not played more than 52 games in an NHL season entering 2023-24, Boqvist’s injury struggles continued.
A shoulder strain kept him sidelined for 13 games in December and January before an errant puck into the Blue Jackets' bench caused Boqvist to lose three teeth and miss three games into the All-Star break. Boqvist also missed the final 16 games of the season with a concussion.
“Especially when you’re hurt, when you’re not with the team and not on the road and stuff, you got a lot of time with yourself,” Boqvist said. “And that’s when everything, all the thinking goes on. And obviously, it’s not the way I want it to be. I want to play every game, 82 games.”
Adam Boqvist 'took some steps' in 2023-24
The majority of Boqvist’s missed games were due to injury. But Boqvist was also scratched from the lineup 15 times, including 14 of the first 18 games of the season.
“It’s always hard when you’re a scratch and then coming in and playing and try to just play your game because you don’t want to (make) any mistake to be back outside the lineup,” Boqvist said.
When given the opportunity, Boqvist said he felt he took advantage.
While admittedly not scoring as many points as he would have liked – recording one goal and nine assists in 35 games – Boqvist said he thought he made an impact on the Blue Jackets' power play, trailing only Zach Werenski, Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson with more than 71 minutes on ice, per Natural Stat Trick. Boqvist also feels he played better defense than past seasons, leading to more than 18 minutes of ice time per game.
“I’m not going to stand here and say I played really good this year,” Boqvist said. “But I think I took some steps in the right direction.”
Boqvist said he plans to build off those steps during the offseason. It’s all he can control, preparing to return in the fall with one year left on his contract despite not knowing who the Blue Jackets’ next general manager will be.
“I want to be here,” Boqvist said.
Boqvist knows the weight the number 27 carries in Columbus. It’s the number worn by defenseman Ryan Murray, the Blue Jackets' No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 draft who had several injuries throughout his seven-year tenure with the Blue Jackets.
Boqvist wants to remain in Columbus. But with a new number, one that can allow him to rewrite his own NHL history.
“I think management (will) approve it,” Boqvist said.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Adam Boqvist reflects on 2023-24 Columbus Blue Jackets season
