2008 Columbus Blue Jackets

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Detroit Red Wings, who beat the Blue Jackets 4 games to 0 to advance to the Conference Semifinals in the 2009 NHL Playoffs, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the outstanding season they had!

Though the 2007-08 season wasn’t the season that finally brought the Columbus Blue Jackets to the NHL Playoffs, the team has been steadily improving and the 2008-09 season might see them in the playoff berth they’ve been yearning for. The Blue Jackets haven’t had enough depth in past seasons, but head coach Ken Hitchcock is confident that off-season moves have filled the holes. The offense is in great shape, with captain Rick Nash in the best form of his career and the additions of forwards Kristian Huselius, Raffi Torres and R.J. Umberger. The defense has been overhauled, with Dick Tarnstrom, Duvie Westcott and Ron Hainsey out and Mike Commodore, Christian Backman and Fedor Tyutin in. Hitchcock is counting on Pascal Leclaire to become the franchise goalie, with Fredrik Norrena and rookie Steve Mason as backup. With quite possibly the best team in the franchise’s history, the Blue Jackets are aiming high for the 2008-09 season. Get your tickets to Nationwide Arena and help make their dreams come true!

The name of the Columbus Blue Jackets seems to reflect the significant participation of Ohio residents in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861-1865). The club mascot is Stinger, a bee that wears a blue uniform resembling that of a Union soldier. The team colors are red, white, and blue. The Blue Jackets play in Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

On June 25, 1997, the NHL officially announced that Columbus; Atlanta, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; and Saint Paul, Minnesota, had been awarded NHL franchises. Businessman John H. McConnell is the Blue Jackets' majority owner, and Doug MacLean is the general manager. Columbus's first season in the NHL was the 2000-01 campaign. Before the season the team filled its roster by selecting players in a series of drafts.

Note: The Blue Jackets team name is commonly misspelled as one word, the Bluejackets.