On October 7, 2000, the Columbus Bluejackets played their first game as an expansion team of the National Hockey League. The team had many of the same problems that most expansion teams face and lost their first few seasons. To date, the team has not won a Stanley cup, or any Championships within their division or conference, but they did qualify for the post seasons in 2009 for the first time.
The team got their name from the rich Civil War history in the area. Ohio was a big contributor to the Union efforts in the war and the area is full of patriotism and pride. The current logo of the team is a version of the Ohio state flag, wrapped around a single star. Their alternate logo is featured on the jerseys as well as a shoulder patch. It is a Civil War cap with a pair of hockey sticks crossed on it.
At Columbus Bluejackets games, fans are entertained by more than hockey. Although the games are entertaining in themselves, and that is why people show up, they get a little additional entertainment from Stinger, the mascot.
Stinger is an anthropomorphized hornet who attends home games, interacting with fans of the team, and generally harassing the opposing team’s mascot and fans. His hilarious antics and fun loving nature make Stinger the perfect choice for a mascot, giving adults something to laugh at, and still being kid friendly.
When the game is not actually in play, there are other members of the Columbus Bluejackets organization that are available to entertain the fans. The Cannon Crew is a group of men who man the famous cannon: a replica of an 1857 Napoleon Cannon. The cannon is “fired” whenever the home team scores a goal, the Bluejackets enter the ice at the beginning of the game, and the team wins a game.
Also entertaining are the Coors Light Ice Crew, who clean the ice during breaks in the game, and the Pepsi Power Patrol who dance, skate, and perform for fans during breaks in the game. The Pepsi Patrol is responsible for entertaining the fans and for cheering on the home team.
The Columbus Bluejackets are active not only on the ice, but also in their community. The team’s foundation is active in community blood drives, charities, and assisting organizations throughout the community. They support a number of grass roots campaigns and assist in creating better lives for the citizens of Ohio.
Most notably the Bluejackets are active in fighting diseases like pediatric cancer and autism, giving the children affected and their families some help, hope, and peace during the difficult struggles caused by their conditions. The Columbus Bluejackets are more than just a hockey team. From providing entertainment on the ice to providing support and hope off the ice, the Bluejackets are an asset to their community and a fan favorite.
2009-10 Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets are entering their 10th season in the NHL and after being swept by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 Western Conference Quarterfinals, the Blue Jackets are more determined than ever to get back to the big game. Head Coach Ken Hitchcock, who is in the 4th year of his contract, has never had his club finish higher than 4th place in the division.
In the offseason, the Blue Jackets lost seven free agents but signed six to include former Blackhawks Centre Samuel Pahlsson (3-yr $7.95 million), Mathieu Garon formerly of the Pittsburgh Penguins (2-yr $2.4 million) and former AHL player with the San Antonio Rampage Dylan Reese.
In the draft, the Blue Jackets had seven picks which they used to draft: John Moore (21st overall), Kevin Lynch (56th overall), David Savard (94th overall), Thomas Larkin (137th overall), Anton Blomqvist (167th overall) and Kyle Neuber (197th overall).
As of this writing, the Blue Jackets were 22-27-9 and in last place in the Central Division.
Previous Seasons
The 2008-09 season ended much like the 2007-08 season, with the team situated in 4th place in their division except this time they Blue Jackets managed to squeak into the playoffs and faced the #2 seeded Detroit Red Wings who eliminated them in a four game sweep.
Hmmm. What can one say about The Columbus Blue Jackets in ’07? The only thing to go on is improvement: they are the only team in the league to never make a post-season appearance – and that probably isn’t going to change anytime soon. They have not made any significant roster changes this season. It seems like the focus for Columbus is simply improving its on-ice product – meaning, they are developing the roster they currently have. And it’s a good start: top end and high pick players like Derick Brassard, Gilbert Brule, Rick Nash, Nikolai Zherdev and a number of other top-end high pick prospects create a solid core. Playoffs are unlikely, but improvement? Fans will definitely see it. -
The year 2000 was a headline year for hockey in Columbus, OH as the Columbus Blue Jackets made their debut that October. In the Columbus Blue Jackets very first game they proved to be an impressive force against the Chicago Blackhawks, answering to a sold-out crowd. Still, their first home win would not come until 20 days later when they beat the Washington Capitals 3-1. This brand-new team went on to finish last in the Central Division with a 28-39-9-6 record, a respectable season for an infant NHL team. As a result, Columbus Blue Jackets tickets became an instant hit.
In the 2001-02 season they were awarded the honor of having Espen Knutsen become the first Blue Jacket to play in the All-Star Game for the Western conference. Knutsen proved his worth by scoring a goal and an assist for the later victorious World Team. Although this is a bright spot on the team's record, a darker one began to form as their entire season became overshadowed by the unexpected death of 13-year-old fan, Brittanie Cecil. She was tragically hit by a deflected puck while watching the Blue Jackets take on the Calgary Flames at Nationwide arena; two days later her young life was over and she became the first fan fatality in NHL history. Still, the Blue Jackets carried through the season by wearing a heart-shaped decal with her initials on their helmets throughout the rest of the year.
Trying to shake the notoriety the team had gained in the previous season, the Blue Jackets started strong in 2002 by drafting 18-year-old Rick Nash, who had an instant effect on the team, starting the season with a 7-5-1-1 record. The Blue Jackets now had a star player to orbit around and the team began to take shape at the end of the 2002-03 season. Nash's development turned heads throughout the NHL as he finished the 2003-04 season tied for the NHL lead in goals scored with Ilya Kovalchuck and Calgary's superstar, Jarome Iginla.
The 2005-2006 season has proven to fans to be a strong start. Columbus Blue Jackets hockey tickets are selling out and finding a seat at the Nationwide Arena has been difficult to come by. Fans have enjoyed watching this new team rise and fall and push forward to victories after four consecutive loses. The Columbus Blue Jackets is a team who are full of surprises.
With a fresh core of young hockey players, the Blue Jackets are looking at being able to enter the playoff race for the first time in their short history with the NHL. Despite their recent struggle coming out into the first half of this 2005-06 season, fans are buying up Blue Jackets tickets, eagerly awaiting the team's impending success this year.
