The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team was founded in 2000 and began play in the National Hockey League (NHL) in 2000 as an expansion team. Since their inception, the Blue Jackets have been a beloved team among fans and have quickly become a staple in the Columbus sports community. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the history of the Columbus Blue Jackets, their achievements and notable players, and their current status in the NHL.
History
The Columbus Blue Jackets were founded in 2000 as part of the NHL's expansion into new markets. The team was awarded to the city of Columbus, Ohio, as part of the NHL's plan to grow the game of hockey in non-traditional hockey markets. The team played their first game on October 7, 2000, against the Chicago Blackhawks and lost 5-3. The team struggled in their early years and failed to make the playoffs in their first six seasons.
However, in the 2008-2009 season, the Blue Jackets made history by qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They were led by star player Rick Nash and goaltender Steve Mason, who won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie that season. The Blue Jackets, unfortunately, were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Detroit Red Wings.
The Blue Jackets returned to the playoffs in the 2013-2014 season, led by goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender that year. The team went on to win their first-ever playoff game, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in double overtime. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the Penguins in six games.
Achievements and Notable Players
The Columbus Blue Jackets have had a few notable achievements throughout their history. In addition to their two playoff appearances, the team has won the Central Division twice, in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. The team has also had a few notable players throughout their history, including:
Rick Nash: Nash was the team's first-ever draft pick in 2002 and went on to become the team's all-time leading scorer. He was a six-time All-Star and won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal scorer in the 2003-2004 season.
Sergei Bobrovsky: Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy twice with the Blue Jackets and was a three-time All-Star. He is widely regarded as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.
Zach Werenski: Werenski was the team's first-round draft pick in 2015 and has quickly become one of the team's top defensemen. He was named to the NHL's All-Rookie team in the 2016-2017 season and has since been named to two All-Star teams.
Current Status
The Columbus Blue Jackets are currently in a bit of a rebuilding phase. After making the playoffs in four straight seasons from 2016-2020, the team finished last in their division in the 2020-2021 season. The team has since made some changes, including hiring a new head coach, Brad Larsen, and trading away some of their top players, including Seth Jones and Cam Atkinson. The team has also brought in some new talent, including Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic, and has a number of promising young players, including Werenski and forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.
In conclusion, the Columbus Blue Jackets have had a relatively short but eventful history in the NHL. While they have yet to win a Stanley Cup.
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