Vyborny's 450th game photo

Reader Rhonda has this awesome trick, that of taking photos of the jumbotron at special moments and then getting the player in question to sign a print of the photo.  In this case, it's David Vyborny on the occasion of his 450th game:

Well done!

DBT's Jonathan Sigalet-delivered CBJ practice puck

On a day when we learned that Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Jonathan Sigalet signed a contract to play for the Kontinental Hockey League's Lev Proprad, I thought I'd share the story of this particular puck:

The Dark Blue Toddler and I attended our first Blue Jackets training camp practices last fall (He's now 2, so I got him in early!).  Like most practices, the one in question saw a number of CBJ hopefuls hanging out after practice to work on their games and hopefully impress a coach or two in the process.  One was Sigalet.

Adam Foote-signed photo

From reader Rhonda's extensive archives, a photo of our former Columbus Blue Jackets captain that was subsequently signed by Foote...

At least it's no pretty-boy shot.  (Like that's possible, considering the subject...)

The CBJ Beer-Hockey Coffee Table

Reader Shawn presents us with 115% awesomeness - a homemade beer-hockey coffee table with a Blue Jackets theme:

I think this could be one of the more unique pieces of Blue Jackets fan items that you've received. 

Jody Shelley-signed menu

Reader Rhonda shows us that it's not enough just to snag a dirty menu from the original Blue Jackets Bistro and Bar...you need to get Jody Shelley to sign it!

Well played, Rhonda!

Rick Nash-signed "100th goal" ticket

Once again, reader Rhonda amazes with her awesome collection of memorabilia.  Most Columbus Blue Jackets fans can only dream of having this type of memento - a ticket from the game in which now-CBJ captain Rick Nash scored his 100th NHL goal, signed by Nash himself:

Gosh, Nash looks young in that picture.  Was it only 5 years ago?

Adam Foote-signed puck

Reader Dave wisely recognizes that Adam Foote is persona non grata in Central Ohio (even though Foote still has a house in town with a sweet basement), so he asked that I preserve his anonymity in this photo:

Yes, this post is about more than just a photo with the reviled ex-captain.  There's a signed puck involved.  And, yes, there's a story...

This was taken during a Pre-Season game in the post game media center where Foote was not taking questions. Except for me as I had won an auction to be a "CBJ reporter for a game". I was fed a pregame meal during which ex-gmdm came over to my table and demanded my credentials for being there.(my cbj escort had stepped out for a moment) This was when they still fed the press and the meals were fantastic and the room filled with media and scouts and other NHL officials and dignitaries. Dougie Mac stopped the practice after that season as it cost too much so you had to pay the next year.

Jody Shelley-signed skates

Reader Rhonda has some of the coolest stuff!  Check out these Jody Shelley-signed skates:

Skates make sense, seeing as Shelley rarely wore gloves.  (You don't need them for fighting...)

The Andrew Murray "Bob Gainey" jersey

On February 23, 2008, the Montreal Canadiens retired the jersey number of the legendary Bob Gainey:




Why do I share this little nugget with you - on a Blue Jackets memorabilia blog? Go back and look at the video again. The team on the visiting bench was none other than our Columbus Blue Jackets. And besides the fact that the Blue Jackets smoked the Habs, 3-0, in the Bell Centre that night, there is a legitimate memorabilia note to be made, one that reader Rhonda brings forth from her vault of CBJ pucks and stuff...

The CBJ wives cookbook

Reader John shares with us perhaps one of the more unique (at least in my opinion) keepsakes from the Columbus Blue Jackets' inaugural season.  I'll let him explain this gem:

This is Volume I and it was sold during the inaugrual season. (Maybe someone can help with this?)

The CBJ foundation teamed with Max and Erma's to sell this cookbook for $30 in their restaurants and, I guess, at games. It has a stiff back cover which folds to let the book stand up, as seen in the photos. There are tabs for the different sections: Foundation, Recipes, Scrapbook and Your Team. Of interest are the ingredients for 'ownership' and the note about the foundation and their goal to grow youth hockey in Columbus. As we see now, youth hockey and leagues are present where little to none existed before. 

I can't say if this is the first thing the CBJ foundation put out to raise funds, but it is certainly among the earliest.

More photos coming up...

Ron Tugnutt-signed appearance sheet

I know I've only been following the Columbus Blue Jackets since 2006-2007, but I do not recall a time when a Blue Jacket player did a non-Blue Line appearance like Ron Tugnutt did at Haydocy Pontiac:

Of course, there's no "Pontiac" any more, either.

(Thanks, reader Rhonda, for the signed Tugger picture!)

The Free Agent Day special

Check out THIS man-cave...

What's the CBJ free agency tie-in?  Why, it's former CBJ captain Adam Foote's basement.  Really.  It is.