Picture via google.com
The pride of Columbus hockey is the Columbus Blue Jackets is Columbus’s professional ice hockey team. Part of the Central Division of the Western conference in the NHL, the Blue Jackets team is actually the most eastern team located in the Western Conference, and located closest to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the Eastern Conference. The Blue Jackets were founded as an expansion team being preceded in Columbus by the Columbus Chill of the ECHL and the Cleveland Barons in the state of Ohio. They qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 2009.
More interesting facts about the Columbus Blue Jackets:
- Their name, Blue Jackets, was chosen to celebrate patriotism, pride, and the rich Civil War history in the state of Ohio. It was President Abraham Lincoln who requested Ohio raise 10 regiments at the outbreak of the Civil War and the state raised 23 regiments for 3 months of service.
- The team logo is a version of the Ohio flag; the jerseys also offer an alternate logo of a Civil War cap and crossed hockey sticks on the shoulders. They unveiled a new jersey in the 2010-2011 season using a union blue base with white stripes on the sleeves and shoulder padding. The crest has the team’s Civil War-era cannon and honors the founder John H. McConnell. It also offers his initials on the neckline and the slogan “We fight, we march!” inside the collar.
- The cannon used prior to the start of the 2007-08 season was a handmade replica of Napoleon’s cannon from 1857. The cannon is fired at home games whenever:
- The team takes the ice
- They score a goal
- They win a game
- It was fired 164 times in its first season.
- AC/DC’s song “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)” is played when the cannon is fired.
- Fox Sports Ohio broadcasts 75 games per season and the announcers are Bill Davidge and Jeff Rimer, Rimer has been doing play by plays since 2005.
- Radio Stations such as WBNS-FM, WBNS and WWCD plus 26 other affiliates in Ohio where George Matthews gives play-by-play coverage and Bob McElligott. Matthews has been calling the games since 2000 when the team first started.
- The mascot is Stinger, a 6 foot 9 inch bright green bug wearing a Blue Jackets’ jersey. He walks around in the crowd during games and skates on the ice between periods.
- The IGS Energy blimp flies in the air above the crowds between periods as well.
Our ice hockey team is exciting to watch and something that is loved by all. You can get a schedule for the Blue Jackets’ games at http://bluejackets.nhl.com/index.html. Come and enjoy a game and have some fun.
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