NHL captain Boone Jenner releases 'heartbroken' statement announcing son's death

Boone Jenner's wife, Maggie, delivered a stillborn on Sunday, and the Columbus Blue Jackets released a statement written by the couple.

"We are at a loss for words. A pain like no other. Our son, Dawson Jenner was stillborn on March 31st, 2024," the Jenners said in a statement released by the team, originally posted onto their Instagram profiles. "While this pain is like nothing we've experienced before, it's also shown us the immense love we have to give.

"As heartbroken as we are, we are incredibly grateful to be his parents and look forward to holding him again one day in heaven. We are thankful and feel blessed for the outpouring of love and support from our family and friends.

"We appreciate everyone respecting our privacy as we navigate this extremely difficult time. Love, the Jenner's." The Blue Jackets captain missed their last two games after being listed out through illness, and it's not yet clear when he will return to the line-up."

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Jenner married his wife on July 29, 2023, after proposing to Maggie on September 20, 2022. Maggie is frequently active on social media and has 9,000 followers on Instagram where she regularly posts pictures of Boone, her family, and friends.

Blue Jackets fans were delighted when Boone posted pictures of their proposal and wedding onto Instagram, and they later announced that they'd be expecting their first child in May 2024. The tragic news that their son, Dawson, had been delivered as stillborn sparked messages of support from around the NHL community.

"Sending love and prayers to the Jenner family," wrote the official Pittsburgh Penguins account on X. The Buffalo Sabres also showed their support, adding: "Sending so much love to the Jenner family."

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The Blue Jackets will be in no rush to get their captain back to the ice, and with only seven games remaining in their season they may grant him an extended leave of absence. Columbus is already out of playoff contention, sitting bottom of the Metropolitan Division with 62 points from 75 games.

Jenner has been with the Blue Jackets his entire NHL career since being drafted 37th overall back in 2011. The Columbus captain has 22 goals and 13 assists this season, taking his career totals to 192 goals and 172 assists through 715 NHL games.

The captain was selected by the Blue Jackets for his first NHL All-Star Game this season, and with the event held in Toronto, it was the dream combination for the Canadian forward. Jenner is from Dorchester, Ontario, a two-hour drive from where the Toronto Maple Leafs play their home games at Scotiabank Arena.

The 30-year-old became the longest-tenured player in Blue Jackets franchise history earlier this season, cementing himself as a legend in Columbus. "I think Boone embodies what it is to be a Columbus Blue Jacket," former captain Nick Foligno said earlier this season.