The Hockey News Sunday Recap: Columbus Blue Jackets

Happy Birthday To Johnny GaudreauThis is a short and sweet Johnny Gaudreau Appreciation piece on what would be his 33rd birthday.

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Happy Birthday to Johnny Gaudreau! 

Zach Werenski Addresses The Media In Columbus”Ideally, I’m here for the long term.”

“I think my statement is exactly how I feel. I want to win. I want to win here in Columbus, and that’s all I’m focused on.”

Why Valeri Nichushkin Could Be A Big Addition For Blue JacketsThis trade could benefit the Blue Jackets a lot.

2 Blue Jackets On The Hot Seat This SeasonThese Blue Jackets are entering the season on the hot seat.

OPENING NIGHT COUNTDOWNS

53 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #53There are 53 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena, and today we look at the jersey history of #53. There have only been three players who have worn that number for the Jackets.

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Josh Anderson– “The Andy Man” wore #53 when he first started playing games in Columbus. Anderson played a total of 267 games for the Blue Jackets, spread over six seasons. He scored 65 goals and totaled 115 points during his time with Columbus. 

The 2018-19 season saw Anderson set career highs in goals, assists, and points. Unfortunately for him, he was never able to replicate that in Columbus. The following year, he tore his shoulder in December and had to have season-ending surgery, which wasn’t decided until March. 

52 Days Until Opening Night: The History of Jersey #52The Columbus Blue Jackets have 52 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today we look at the history of jersey #52. Almost every player on this list has a bad reputation of some sort.

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Craig Rivet – 2011 – Originally drafted by Montreal in 1992, where he played the first 12 years of his career, he came to the Jackets at the end of his career in 2004. Rivet, who was the captain of the Buffalo Sabres at the time, was waived by Buffalo on February 23, 2011. On February 26, 2011, Rivet was claimed on re-entry waivers by the Jackets, where he played in 14 games and totaled 1 point. After announcing his retirement in October of 2011, he signed with the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals. It was later discovered that he signed the contract to obtain his United States permanent residency.  

51 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #51The Columbus Blue Jackets have 51 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today we look at the history of jersey #51. There weren’t many who used the number, but at least one had a pretty good career.

Andy Murray – 2007-11 – Murray was drafted in the 8th round of the 2001 NHL draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets as a Center. 

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After playing four years at Bemidji State University, Murray turned pro and played for the Syracuse Crunch for two seasons before making his NHL Debut during the 2007-08 season. In his rookie year, he played in 39 games and totaled 10 points. 

He played three more seasons in Columbus and played in 181 games. He scored 23 goals and totaled 36 points during his time with the CBJ. 

50 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #50The Columbus Blue Jackets have 50 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #50.

Joakim Lindström – 2006 – Lindström was drafted by Columbus in the 2nd round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. 

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Lindström made his North American debut in the last game of the 04-05 season for the Syracuse Crunch, the CBJ’s AHL team. In the 05-06 season, he would make his Blue Jackets debut and play in three games. In 2008, after playing just 37 games, Lindström was traded to the Anaheim Ducks.

49 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #49The Columbus Blue Jackets have 49 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today we look at the history of jersey #49. There weren`t many who used the number, but at least one had a pretty good career.

Dan Fritsche – 2004-08 – The Ohio-born native was picked in the 2003 NHL Draft in the 2nd round. 

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Fritsche turned pro and became a full-time NHLer in 2005. He played 206 games for the CBJ over four years. He scored 29 goals and totaled 63 points. 

48 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #48The Columbus Blue Jackets have 48 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #48.

Marc Methot – 2006-12 – Methot was drafted by the Blue Jackets in the 6th round of the 2003 NHL Draft.

Methot played six years and 275 games for the CBJ, totaling 51 points on the Columbus blue line. He was the definition of a defensive defenseman. 

On July 1, 2012, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for future CBJ Captain Nick Foligno. After the trade to Ottawa, he would play another 349 NHL games. 

47 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #47The Columbus Blue Jackets have 47 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #47.

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Aaron Johnson – 2003-07/2011-12 – Johnson was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Johnson played 172 games for the Jackets over two stints. Scouts said of Johnson was “A puck-moving defenseman, Johnson is a very good skater. Has good offensive instincts and can quarterback the power play. Can play a tough and physical game. Needs to improve his play in his own end.”

46 Days Until Opening Night: The History Of Jersey #46The Columbus Blue Jackets have 46 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #46.

Tim Jackman – 2003-04 – Jackman was drafted by the Blue Jackets in the 2nd round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. 

Jackman made his debut in December of 2003 after spending the previous year and the start of the 2003 season with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.