Jakub Voráček Officially Retires From Hockey
Jakub Voráček, the fun-loving, outspoken former Columbus Blue Jacket, announced in an interview that he has officially retired from hockey.
Voráček, 34, gave an interview to cnn.iprima.cz today and made the announcement. In the interview, Voráček claims to have suffered 12 concussions in his career.
"I have more time for my children and my life in general. I can live my own life. I will remember hockey and my career in good terms"
Jake played 331 games in Union Blue, scoring 46 goals and totaling 202 points in two stints with Columbus. For the Philadelphia Flyers, he played in 727 games and registered 604 points. Even though only 202 of his 806 points were with Columbus, he'll always be remembered as a Columbus Blue Jacket, at least in Columbus he will be.
Jake Voráček is known for being a part of two shocking trades. In 2011, Scott Howson famously traded the young star to the Flyers for Jeff Carter. A trade that ended very badly for the CBJ. Ten years later he was traded back to the Jackets for Cam Atkinson, a trade that shook Blue Jackets fans to their core when Atkinson, a legend for Columbus was sent packing out of the blue.
During a game in Finland in 2022, Jake took a high stick to the head and never was able to return for the Jackets. Knowing that Voráček would likely never play again, former GM Jarmo Kekalainen traded him and a pick to the Arizona Coyotes for Jon Gillies, ending his time in Columbus.
On June 22, 2007, at Nationwide Arena, I was there when Jake Voráček was drafted. Everyone loved the kid instantly. Unfortunately for the fans of Columbus, they never got to see his prime years due to the trade that sent him to the Flyers for Jeff Carter. A trade widely regarded as the single worst trade in Columbus Blue Jackets history. Not only did they send Voráček, but they also sent picks. Picks that end up being Sean Couturier and Nick Cousins. In the end, the Blue Jackets ended up with no players since Carter jumped on the first plane out of Columbus not too long after that.
Jake Voráček was a really good player in his time. He will be missed.
So long Jakub Voráček, enjoy retirement.
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