32 NHL Cities in 32 Days: Columbus Blue Jackets

Alexis Bazydola
May 9, 2020
4 min read

The Location: Columbus, Ohio

Home to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Nationwide Arena opened its doors in 2000. Seating 18,500 for a hockey game, the arena has also hosted various concerts including back to back sold-out Tim McGraw and Faith Hill shows to celebrate their opening. This building was constructed on a piece of land that used to house the Ohio State Penitentiary.

Team History

The Columbus Blue Jackets are still one of the newer franchises in the NHL. Being awarded a franchise in 1997 thanks to Nationwide Insurance guaranteeing the construction of an arena, it would take three more years before play would begin in Columbus. During their first season, they would finish last in their division and fail to make the playoffs. The next season was not much better as the team finished next to last in the league. 2002 brought tragedy to the Blue Jackets’ organization and change throughout the NHL. A young fan was struck by a puck and killed during a game. This brought the mesh netting surrounding the glass to all NHL arenas.

The 2002 Entry Draft saw the selection of Rick Nash first overall. After starting the 02-03 season strong, the team fell back in to old patterns and finished last in the division yet again. The next season was much of the same despite offensive talent from Nash who tied with Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalcuk for the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. After the 2004-05 lockout, the team was ready to make a change and turn their luck around.

The Blue Jackets signed Adam Foote during the 2005 free agency period and were armed to start their season off strong. Unfortunately, due to injuries they started their first 35 games with a 9-25-1 record. Although they were able to improve slightly, they yet again missed the playoffs that year.

2007-08 was the best season yet for the Blue Jackets. Under head coach Ken Hitchcock, the team finished fourth in the division with 80 points. Rick Nash was also named captain during this season after captain Adam Foote was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. The 2008-09 season saw Nash score a franchise record of 79 points and the team clinch their first playoff spot in franchise history. They would go on to be swept by the Detroit Red Wings in four games. They would fail to make the playoffs again for the next four years.

Another disastrous start to the 2011-12 season would have Rick Nash request a trade. Although not traded at the deadline that year, Nash would eventually be traded in the offseason to the New York Rangers. At the Entry Draft that year, Columbus would also trade for goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. After a partial lockout during the 2012-13 year, the Blue Jackets hired Jarmo Kekalainen as their general manager making him the first European born general manager in the league. The team would yet again miss the playoffs that year.

The Blue Jackets would be moved to the Eastern Conference in the 2013-14 season. They would clinch their second playoff spot in franchise history this season. Their first playoff victory would come in overtime in Game 2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite this, Pittsburgh took the series in six games. The next season would not be a healthy one for the Blue Jackets. They saw stars like Sergei Bobrovsky, Brandon Dubinsky, Jack Johnson, and Ryan Murray all grace the injured reserve list throughout the season. They were unable to make the playoffs again.

In May 2015, Nick Foligno was named captain which was vacant since the trade of Nash in 2012. The 2015 offseason saw the Blue Jackets acquire Brandon Saad from the Chicago Blackhawks. Another dismal start to the 2015-16 season led the team to bring in John Tortorella as new head coach and trade Ryan Johansen to the Nashville Predators for Seth Jones. They ended the season with a record of 34-40-8, 27th overall in the league.

In the 2016-17 season, the team ended the year with 108 points setting a franchise record. Being matched up with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round yet again, they would go on to lose the series in five games. During the offseason, the Jackets sent Saad back to Chicago in exchange for Artemi Panarin and Tyler Motte. For the first time in 2018, the Jackets returned to the playoffs for a second consecutive year. Although they were able to take the series to six games against the Washington Capitals, they did not advance.

The 2018-19 season saw the Blue Jackets sweep the Presidents’ Trophy winning Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round before falling to the Boston Bruins in the second round. Currently at the season’s pause, the Blue Jackets sit at 13th in the league with 81 points.

Fanbase & Traditions

One of the most notable parts of the Blue Jackets games is their 1857 replica Napoleon cannon. The cannon is fired any time the Jackets take the ice, a goal is scored or a game is won. Another prominent part of Blue Jackets games is their mascot Stinger who cheers on the team during games.