Columbus Blue Jackets Greatest Players: #13 – Jody Shelley

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 28: Jody Shelley #45 of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on from the bench against the New Jersey Devils on October 28, 2006 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils won 1-0. (Photo by Norman Y. Lono/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 28: Jody Shelley #45 of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on from the bench against the New Jersey Devils on October 28, 2006 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Devils won 1-0. (Photo by Norman Y. Lono/Getty Images)

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 yesterday’s post, go back and check it out!

#14: David Savard

So without further ado, here is the 13th greatest Columbus Blue Jackets player in history…

#13 – Jody Shelley (LW)

Similarly to Jared Boll, Jody Shelley finds himself on this list despite his very obvious deficiency in hockey skills. But he was an enforcer for many years on the Blue Jackets; the very bad Blue Jackets.

Not only was he an enforcer, he was an awesome one. That’s because when Shelley was in his prime fighting years, he could destroy almost everybody in the NHL. Throwing down the gloves with Jody was like an automatic loss for most.

He defended his teammates, represented the CBJ well (as well as a fighter can), and ended up being an analyst for the Jackets when he retired. He’s actually pretty good in the booth too.

And in all honesty, I’m in love with fighters. I love good hockey players, but I’m in love with any guy that can beat the snot out of another guy. Hell, you could put a fighting monkey in Union Blue, and I’d be inclined to make him my favorite player.

Now that I’ve said that, LET’S WATCH SOME FIGHTS!

Six minutes of Jody Shelley fights

Jody Shelley vs. Bob Probert: The Series

Jody Shelley quickly drops Krzysztof Oliwa