1000 Games Ago

Tonight, January 23, 2014, the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate their 1000th game.  In honor of this occasion, many fans are looking back at their memories of the team over the years.  Today's entry takes us back to the beginning with a couple of game worn jerseys from the inaugural season.

Tyler Wright personifies the first Blue Jackets team to me.  He was hard working and gritty with just enough skill to balance the permanent chip on his shoulder.  This jersey would have been worn the first half of the season based on markings behind the crest.  It was certainly used in the first regular season game in franchise history on October 7, 2000 against the Chicago Blackhawks.  Wright assisted on the second goal in franchise history that night as well.

AP Photo

I can't make a jersey post without adding a little jersey nerdiness, so bear with me on this part:
Typical of all first season jerseys, it has a removeable velcro letter on the top left of the jersey.  Photos show that even captain Lyle Odelein had a velcro C, making things easier on the equipment staff if coach Dave King were to move the letters around on any given night.  NHL equipment managers don't really do this much anymore, often just opting for different jerseys for a player who is part of a rotating captaincy - one with letter sewn on, one without.
Ok, I feel better having included that and it wasn't so bad to learn that, was it?

Moving on, we have the favorite jersey of my collection. Goalie Ron Tugnutt took control of the net early on in the inaugural season and ended up tying the NHL record for goalie wins with an expansion franchise (22).  This road sweater is from the first set of 2000-01 jerseys, meaning it was used in the first half of the season just like the Wright jersey.  It was worn in the first franchise victory in Calgary and again in the first franchise shutout on December 18, 2000 in Montreal.

AP Photo

Tugnutt, the only goalie I'm aware of to receive votes for President of the United States, was instantly a fan favorite in Columbus, and you still see Tugger jerseys in the arena on any given night.  His scrambling style, affable personality and success made him easy for early Columbus fans to cheer.

When I watch the team today, I'm often reminded of that first team and that first year. You can see some of that inaugural team in the 2013-14 team. There is a little of the same attitude, a lot of the same grit and quite a bit more youth and skill, but most of all, you get the same sense of putting the team first above all.  You can usually tell when a team is built the right way and playing well together because it's difficult for fans to pick out a favorite player. Is it Johansen, Atkinson, Umberger, Bobrovsky, Johnson or Wisniewski? Wasn't it once hard to choose between Tugnutt, Knutsen, Sanderson, Heinze, Vyborny, or Klesla? This kind of thing, these types of players, among the other things mentioned, are why it's so easy for fans to support this team, why the electricity is returning to Nationwide Arena and why soon, it will again be the best rink in the NHL.

It has never been as clear to me as it is today what this franchise is all about and where we're headed. It's going to be a wild, fun ride, and I can't wait for the next 1000 games.

Columbus - The Puck Stops HERE!

In honor of this recent tweet by our friend Dave Maetzold, I thought I might start this blog up again with a pretty unique item from the beginning of the NHL era in Columbus.

On this day in #CBJ history: January 13, 1997, Columbus Hockey Limited made its formal presentation to the #NHL. Glad that worked out.
— Dave Maetzold (@DMaetzMedia) January 13, 2014 

This puck is likely one of the earliest pieces of Columbus Blue Jackets memorabilia.  On June 25, 1997 in downtown Columbus, 500 of these pucks were handed out to those who attended the press conference announcing the NHL expansion to Columbus, OH.  Each puck is numbered and this particular example is number 6 of 500.  There is another version of this puck handed out at another time that has the same orange text and NHL logo on one side and has "Commemorative Edition" x of 2000 on the other side.

photo of Mr. Mac courtesy of the Columbus Blue Jackets (bluejackets.nhl.com)

There's not a lot to say about it - after all, it's just a puck - but at the same time, it brings back wonderful memories of the earliest days of the announcement.  Hockey has always had a strong following in Columbus, with the Checkers, Seals, Owls and Chill in particular over the years.  The success of the ECHL's Columbus Chill in the 1990s was key to the NHL's interest in Columbus. While we've had good and bad times over the years, few can argue the excitement and pride we all share in being part of the best hockey league in the world.

Although I had to obtain this in an auction to benefit Jacket Backers instead of at the original event nearly 17 years ago, it's still a treasured part of my collection.

Recently, I was also able to add the following companion t-shirt which was probably released around the time of the second 'commemorative edition' puck.  I can't tell you if these were also given away, sold or otherwise distributed and would welcome any information you can provide.

Update: Here are some more additions from the same campaign.

10 foot square vinyl banner

Corrugated sign, pom-pom, pennant and button

The inaugural Blue Jackets wives cookbook

Reader John shares with us perhaps the most unique piece of memorabilia from the Columbus Blue Jackets' inaugural season:

This is Volume I and it was sold during the inaugural 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 follow...

The Civil War-era kepi

Reader (and Dark Blue Jacket blog contributor) Gallos shares a unique piece of Columbus Blue Jackets-themed headwear...

This is a super nice kepi made by Fall Creek Sutlery. Took me awhile to get the size right. My kids bought this for me for my birthday, so the agreement is that this doesn't get tossed for a hat trick unless its in the playoffs. I'll probably grab my pins though. 

I like this hat a lot. I've seen another guy who has the cannons on the front, which I did for a bit, but it just didn't work for me. It wasn't easy getting them on the top. It took a bit of brute force. 

So apologies to Matt Calvert for not tossing it. Get that hat trick in the playoffs against Detroit, and it goes. 

I got most of the pins at the Blueline, but I was in the local carryout last summer and the crossed sticks pin was on sale for like, $2. So I grabbed the two remaining. Though I think the broken twig gives it a battle scarred look.

Too cool.

Serge Aubin-signed puck

Yet another classic Columbus Blue Jacket autograph courtesy of reader Rhonda...a vintage CBJ logo puck signed by Serge Aubin:

Nothing beats the silver sharpie!

The "Brassacek" jersey

On the eve of the Columbus Blue Jackets 2011-2012 opener, reader (and Dark Blue Jacket contributor) Gallos offers this one-of-a-kind entry in the Pucks 'n' Stuff sweepstakes:

This is my 'Brassacek' jersey...made immortal in this Puck Daddy post.

Fully mental Blue Jackets stuff

Reader Greg (of Full Mental Jackets, and the gracious host of the first two CannonFests) offers up a couple finely obscure Columbus Blue Jackets items for your viewing pleasure...

The first is my personal Blue Jackets Santa. To be quite honest, he and I are not on the best terms right now (for obvious reasons). Still, I will submit another list this year at Christmas and hope that maybe I have been a good little boy. 

The Kris Russell sweater, plus a little more

Reader Dannielle shares a few pieces from her treasure trove of Columbus Blue Jackets memorabilia:

The jersey:
Kris Russell #2 jersey, I had it lettered by the Blue Line in September of 2008. Approximately one month before he was sent to Syracuse and returned a changed (numbered) man.

Inaugural season goodness

This post seems fitting as we kick off another season of CBJ hockey... Reader Charles documented the Columbus Blue Jackets' first season well:

In my collection you will find a reprint of the Front page Columbus Dispatch from 10/8/00 declaring "Making history - Blue Jackets take to the ice in NHL debut" with a photograph of Robert Kron winning the CBJ's first ever face off in their first ever game. Below the photo is a list of the opening day roster and a photo of the ticket issued for the game.

Freddy Modin-signed license plate

What do you do with your old Columbus Blue Jackets-themed vanity license plate?

If you're reader Rhonda, you get the (then-)CBJ's Freddy Modin to sign it!

Geoff Platt-signed game ticket

Reader Rhonda offers us not just a Sergei Federov-adorned 2007 game ticket signed by Geoff Platt...but rather a ticket, signed by Platt, from the game where Platt scored his first NHL goal.

Nice touch.

Inaugural season signed team poster

Check out this beauty from reader Steven:

Here's his tale: 

I remember hearing the news that my hometown had been granted an NHL expansion franchise. Being a Red Wings fan at the time (which I have thankfully denounced long ago), it was bliss to hear I only had to drive 15 minutes to see NHL hockey. The team began its existence during my senior year of high school. I was fortunate enough to become an usher at Nationwide Arena and get paid to watch my new beloved team...something I'm sure no hockey fan would turn down. 

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...)