COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Blue Jackets, who open their season Thursday night, may play all of it without their captain. Forward Boone Jenner underwent shoulder surgery Wednesday after being injured last week in practice, the team announced Thursday. It was not immediately clear whether he would be able to return this season. The Jackets are scheduled to play Thursday at the Minnesota Wild. "He’ll begin his rehabilitation very soon, and our hope is he can return before the end of the season,” president and general manager Don Waddell said. “His loss will be felt by our club." Where Ohio State sits in the playoff picture heading into the Oregon game Jenner, 31, was a steadying presence for a team that has been overhauled and had to overcome tragedy since its last game. Waddell was brought in to run the front office, and he named Dean Evason the coach in July. Then in August, forward Johnny Gaudreau was killed alongside his brother when they were struck by a drunk driver while riding bicycles in New Jersey. "We have a strong leadership group in place, and players will be given an opportunity to take on greater roles on and off the ice," Waddell said. Jenner, who has been with the Blue Jackets since 2013, is their all-time leader in games played. But the 31-year-old has dealt with multiple injuries in recent years, missing at least 10 games in each of the past three seasons. Last season, he had 22 goals and 13 assists to go with 155 shots on goal.