Young rookie already prepared to walk away from his team and the NHL, after less than half a season

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TJ Tucker
November 23, 2023 (10:53)

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This is a bit surprising. According to a report out of Russia, a rookie with the Columbus Blue Jackets wants to go home to Russia, despite the fact that he's had a great start to his NHL career.

According to Sport.business-gazeta.ru, Dmitri Voronkov is looking at the possibility of returning to Ak Bars Kazan for a couple of reasons.

"However, according to our data, the young forward is not happy with everything overseas. He doesn't really like life and life in America, and Voronkov also feels discomfort due to his lack of knowledge of English. Sources of our publication also say that Dmitry is constantly in contact with Ak Bars."

Voronkov does have an out clause in the two-year contract he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, that clause can only be used if he's playing in the AHL, and only until December 31st of this year. Given that the rookie has 3 goals and 9 points in 14 games on a struggling Columbus sqaud this season, it's doubtful he'll get sent back to the minors. Voronkov's six-foot-five, 200 lbs frame and his ability to use it on the ice makes it even harder to send him down.

Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent acknowledges that Voronkov is unable to communicate with non-Russian players, but said it hasn't been an issue on the ice.

"The way he plays and the way he can play the system is really impressive."

If Voronkov really wants to return to Russia, his only hope may be to intentionally lower expectations of what he can do during a game. Voronkov, 23, played five seasons for AK Bars before coming to North America.