Image Courtesy of @TheCBJArtillery
We are starting a new series here at Union and Blue today: CBJ FANSided Friday! In this series we will post a short interview with a fan from the Blue Jackets community and ask them about their Jackets fandom. The first CBJ FANSided Friday features Jordan Mills from the CBJ Artillery.
Many of you may already follow them at @TheCBJArtillery or listened to their recent interview on Episode 19 of the DKM Hockey Podcast. Even though the Artillery are a newer group, they have already become one of the more active fan accounts on twitter and have one of the coolest logos I have seen for a fan group.
U&B: How and when did you become a CBJ / Hockey fan?
"CBJA: My love for hockey started with the Columbus Chill. My dad took me to the games at the Coliseum when I was a kid. Once the Chill left town and Columbus was awarded an NHL expansion franchise, my support for the Jackets started and I’ve never looked back. We’ve had some rough years, but it’s fun to be a fan and experience the tremendous atmosphere at Nationwide Arena. I know great things are on the horizon for the CBJ with J.D. and Jarmo at the helm!"
U&B: Tell us a little about the CBJ Artillery, how it formed, what you guys are about, and maybe some details about your future plans?
"CBJA: The CBJ Artillery was formed based on a whim one night, I was on Twitter browsing some other CBJ fan accounts and I thought it would be fun to start one up. Two months later we’re at 1,300 followers which include Jack Johnson, James Wisniewski and the Blue Jackets!As far as plans for the future, we have a whole arsenal of ideas. Right now I’m orchestrating putting together a team to grow the Artillery for bigger and better things. We plan to roll out a website in the near future to provide further in-depth social interaction as well as thought provoking content for Jacket fans as well as NHL fans. We are currently working on t-shirt designs which will be debuting this season. We’re excited to branch out and we hope we can add to what great sites like Union and Blue do on a daily basis"
U&B: Who is your favorite CBJ player of all time? Who is your favorite current CBJ player?
"CBJA: It might not be popular choice, but for me my favorite CBJ player of all time is Rick Nash. He brought some great years to Columbus, especially in 2009 which brought us our first playoff birth. I always thought he was an outstanding player on and off the ice. When I was younger I even named my dog Nash, so I’ve always liked him and I wish him nothing but the best in New York, except when he plays Columbus!"
"My favorite current player is Jack Johnson. You can’t deny the physical presence he brings when he steps on the ice. He’s respected around the NHL and is a class act on and off the ice."
U&B: Prediction time: How do you think the CBJ will finish this year?
"CBJA: We have a team capable of doing some damage in the East this season. Having Bobrovsky in-between the pipes should bring a lot of confidence to the rest of the team each night to go out and do their job. We have a solid core of young guys mixed in with the experienced and established players, so in my opinion this team has what it takes to make the playoffs. We have great depth up and down the roster and I wouldn’t be shocked at all if we make a run for the cup!"
The Union and Blue would like to thank Jordan for taking the time to answer our questions! We look forward to seeing The CBJ Artillery grow and expand over the 2013-14 season. We also hope after reading this interview you give them a follow on Twitter. The fan run twitter accounts play an entertaining and important role in the online CBJ community. The Union and Blue is looking forward to interviewing more fans throughout the season for CBJ FANSided Fridays!