Columbus Blue Jackets Greatest Players: #10 – Ryan Johansen
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!
Related Story: Greatest Columbus Blue Jackets #11- Geoff Sanderson
So without further ado, here is the 10th greatest Columbus Blue Jackets player in history…
#10 – Ryan Johansen (C)
The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Ryan Johansen with the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. After a few years of development, Johansen emerged as one of the league’s young stars in 2013-14.
For those wondering why Johansen has earned a spot on our list after his downfall in Columbus, there are a couple important factors to keep in mind.
Ryan Johansen is one of the more highly-skilled players to ever wear a Blue Jackets sweater. His ability to pass, shoot, win faceoffs and contribute on the power play are all elite skills of his.
He has also scored the seventh most points in franchise history. Last year, he was passed by Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno and Brandon Dubinsky.
If Ryan Johansen was still in Columbus, he’d be third on the list right now.
It’s easy for some to remember Johansen as a “lazy,” player, but that’s not who he was. He was a game-changing player and never wanted to leave Columbus.
In fact, he even said, “I loved more than anything else in the world being a Blue Jacket.” Even before he was drafted, he admitted he wanted to be a part of the organization.
Ryan Johansen made a name for himself in Columbus, established himself as a No. 1 center in Columbus and won NHL All-Star game MVP in Columbus.
Remember Johansen however you want, but keep in mind, he is an elite player and would be much higher on this list if he was still a Blue Jacket.
Of all the great memories Ryan Johansen gave the city of Columbus, here are a few of my personal favorites: