COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The National Hockey League is celebrating the first 25 years of the century by naming each franchise's best team in that timespan and the Blue Jackets' squad was named Thursday.
Columbus' quarter-century teams consist of the best players who suited up for the CBJ since 2000. Because the first season of the Blue Jackets was in 2000-01, this quarter-century team serves as an all-time team. Both the first and second team consist of one goalie, two defenseman, and three forwards.
Headlining the Blue Jackets' first team is arguably their greatest ever player in Rick Nash, who holds franchise records for goals (289), assists (258), and points (547). Nash, who wore No. 61, is the only Blue Jacket to have his number retired.
The most successful season in Jackets history came in 2018-19 when they swept the NHL's top team the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Many stars of that team were included in the quarter-century teams. Among them include goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky, forwards Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson, and defenseman Seth Jones.
Two current Blue Jackets players were among the 12 best with defenseman Zach Werenski making the first-team and captain Boone Jenner being include in the second team. Johnny Gaudreau, who was killed by a suspected drunk driver on Aug. 31, was also named to the second team.
The teams were selected by a panel of media, retired players, and executives specific to the Blue Jackets.
The NHL will continue to announce the quarter-century teams for each franchise until Jan. 31. From Feb. 12 to 26, fans will vote to select the league's top 25 players of the last 25 years.
Follow this link to see the other quarter-century teams.
