One of ice hockey’s most celebrated franchises; the Columbus Blue Jackets are all set to take on the Winnipeg Jets, at the MTS Center, this season. Ice hockey fans should save a spot for themselves and their loved ones for the upcoming game. Columbus Blue Jackets tickets are now available for sale. Get your set immediately before they sell out.
Formation of the Columbus Blue Jackets
It was back in 1978 that the only National Hockey League franchise of Ohio, the Cleveland Barons left to relocate to Minnesota to become the Minnesota Stars. After a dry ice hockey period that stretched to 22 years, Ohio was finally being provided with an NHL franchise in 1997. With this news the city of Columbus decided to initiate the construction of a state of the art arena that would serve as the home ground for the franchise. With a grant of one hundred and fifty million dollars, construction for the Nationwide Arena began. It was finally in the year 2000 that two new expansion teams were formed. Named Minnesota Wild and Blue Jackets, the teams were entered into the Expansion Draft and Blue Jackets chose their initial player lineup. The team included players, Dwayne Roloson, Lyle Odelein, Geoff Sanderson, Mathieu Schneider, Dallas Drake and Turner Stevenson.
Initial Team Seasons
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ first goal was scored by Bruce Gardiner. Their debut season ended with a score of 28-39-9-6. Competing in Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division, the Blue Jackets wrapped up the year with seventy one points. During the 2000 season, Geoff Sanderson established the record of being the first player with a thirty goal streak. The 2001 season ended in a similar manner with the team scoring 61 points. Ray Whitney became the highlight of the season as he was able to increase the season ending score from 57 to 61 points. Year 2002 brought in success for the team as its players were able to put up a score of 7-5-1-1 after just fourteen games. Fan expectations increased and during this season, coach Dave King was replaced by Doug MacLean. Goalie Marc Denis established a record of the most number of games (77) played in one season.
Honors Awarded to Players
Over the years, the Columbus Blue Jackets have treated their fans with exciting games and talented players. Trophies that have been awarded to players include the “Maurice Richard Trophy,” “Calder Memorial Trophy,” “NHL Foundation Player Award” and “Vezina Trophy.” Recipients include players Rick Nash, Steve Mason, Rick Nash again and Sergei Bobrovsky respectively. Watch the current roster take on one of its fiercest rivals simply by getting Columbus Blue Jackets tickets.