It didn’t take long for the hot streak that brought Trey Fix-Wolansky back to the Blue Jackets to burn out. 

The rookie’s scorching “heater” for the Cleveland Monsters in the American Hockey League hasn’t made the NHL jump with him, but that doesn’t mean patience won’t pay off for Fix-Wolansky and the injury-riddled Blue Jackets, who still had eight players out heading into Monday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. 

“It’s a big step,” Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. “It’s a huge step from the American league to here. I’ve coached in (the AHL), I’ve played in it and I’ve seen it. Success doesn’t mean it will translate right away.” 

Fix-Wolansky, 23, was recalled Nov. 20 and faced the Florida Panthers the same day. He’d just racked up 14 points on seven goals and seven assists in his previous four AHL games, including back-to-back games with four points and then a five-point performance. 

Combined with eight points (three goals, five assists) in his first 10 games, Fix-Wolansky’s 22 points in 14 games boosted him to the top of the AHL’s scoring leaders and still leads all Cleveland players. The Blue Jackets hoped to tap into that hot streak, but Fix-Wolansky went into Monday’s game still looking for his first NHL point of the season. 

Part of the issue is the NHL’s faster pace as compared to the AHL, but Fix-Wolansky’s ice time is also a factor.