Columbus Blue Jackets Greatest Players #8 – Rostislav Klesla

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be entering their 17th season as a NHL franchise this year, so we thought it’s about time we celebrate the 17 greatest Blue Jackets. This list won’t be filled with the best players per say, but rather the most impactful, durable, and lovable Jackets in our minds.

If you missed #9, be sure to read that first. A classic Buckeye and Columbus Blue Jackets stud, R.J. Umberger.

Related Story: #9 Best Player: R.J. Umberger

#8 – Rostislav Klesla

The first true Columbus Blue Jackets player comes in 8th in our top player rankings. Rusty was the first draft pick in franchise history.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Jackets were somehow stuck with the fourth overall draft pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft even though they won zero games the year before. I guess the Jackets shouldn’t complain though since the Vegas Golden Knights got the sixth pick this season.

Either way the Czech defenseman was taken and the Columbus Blue Jackets had their first drafted player. Rostislav “Rusty” Klesla would go on to win the hearts of Jackets fans as one of the originals.

The defenseman played for ten seasons in Columbus. After his 515 games with the Jackets he left for Phoenix. When Klesla left in the 2010-2011 season, he was the final Jacket on the team from the original roster.

Rusty was never flash nor put up huge points but his consistency and loyalty put him on the list at number eight.

Rusty was here for the good and bad times. Mostly bad. But he was here for the teams first playoff series. He was here through the lockout. Rusty was reliable and produced for the fledgling franchise. For that, he ends up at number eight.

Klesla 1st Home Goal

Welcome to the list Rusty. Thanks for the memories.