Columbus Blue Jackets: How We Became CBJ Fans

COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 18: Columbus Blue Jackets mascot Stinger cheers with fans during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 18, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Pittsburgh 5-4. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 18: Columbus Blue Jackets mascot Stinger cheers with fans during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 18, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Pittsburgh 5-4. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 09: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Connor Carrick (8) battles with Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) during the third period in a game on April 9, 2017, at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada.The Columbus Blue Jackets won 3-2. (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 09: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Connor Carrick (8) battles with Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) during the third period in a game on April 9, 2017, at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada.The Columbus Blue Jackets won 3-2. (Photo by Nick Turchiaro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

William Espy

WE: I never really watched hockey growing up. In California, it had never been a commonly brought-up sport, so I never even really knew about it until about 7th grade. I actually found it through the video games, don’t remember exactly which year it was and just started playing. I picked the Columbus Blue Jackets because I grew up as a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds because of my Dad’s loyalty to those teams, and it just stuck. I never expected the game to essentially take over a portion of my life, but it’s easily one of the best decisions I ever made.