On the verge of his 14th appearance in the National Hockey League, Trey Fix-Wolansky's hopes have been dashed. The Columbus Blue Jackets' 23-year-old forward has been relegated to the AHL's Cleveland Monsters by head coach Brad Larsen as a form of discipline. According to Larsen, Fix-Wolansky was absent from a team meeting due to oversleeping.
The blunder by Fix-Wolansky comes at a significant cost for the 23-year-old, who is currently under a two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. While he earns a salary of $809k per annum at the NHL level, his pay in the minors is only $70k. The terms of the contract are adjusted based on the number of games played at each level.
Fix-Wolansky, a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NHL draft, has had a slow start to his professional career. Despite playing seven games this season, he has yet to register a point on the scoreboard. Throughout his twelve-game career, he has only recorded one goal and one assist, making him a relatively unproven player in the league.
The financial implications of Fix-Wolansky's demotion to the AHL will undoubtedly sting, but it presents him with a chance to work on his skills and refine his game in the minor leagues. The young forward will have to redouble his efforts to prove himself worthy of another shot at the NHL level.
