Columbus Blue Jackets: The Writers’ Favorite Players
When you write about a team, you’re constantly watching them and learning about them. This is why the Union and Blue contributors are also Columbus Blue Jackets fans, even though our fan hoods started before the writing.
William Espy – Nick Foligno
It’s difficult for me to pick a favorite player, as each player brings something special to the team when they fulfill their role. However, the one player in my eyes, who is the definition of a Columbus Blue Jacket would have to be Nick Foligno. It seems apropos that the captain would be the ideal player on a team, but his balance of offensive skill, grit and defense make him a poster-boy for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have been a physical team for years, and although it wasn’t always Foligno’s main skill; his physicality has become a major part of his game. When you add his above average goal scoring and defensive abilities to the physicality, you get a game-changing two way player. Foligno will never be a Hart Trophy winner, but he’ll always be one of the most influential players on the Blue Jackets.
Aaron Winland – Sergei Bobrovsky
Wow. Picking my favorite Blue Jacket of all time was tougher than I thought. I had a few days to think about it, and I went back and forth between many different players. Finally, I have chosen Sergei Bobrovsky.
Other than a couple seasons were Bob was dealing with injury, he has been stellar in net for the Jackets, including two Vezina Trophy seasons (2012-13 and 2016-17). His all time record as a member of the Blue Jackets is 143-86-20.
I think what makes Bob the greatest for me is the way he plays between the pipes. When he is playing his best, there is a little glitz and glamor to his game. He will snatch a puck from mid air with his glove and then hold his position like he is waiting for someone to take a picture.
You know Bob is important to the fans, because when the backup plays everyone assumes the game will be a loss. He gets the loudest pregame cheer inside of Nationwide Arena each and every start.
Bob has two more things he needs to do in Columbus to secure this position for a long time. Win a playoff series and help bring home Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Preston Byers – Zach Werenski
Although I love Bob, Foligno, Dubinsky and so many others, my favorite Blue Jacket is Zach Werenski.
I know he’s only in his second year, but I just started consistently watching the Jackets’ games last season. And as a 19-year-old, I feel a lot closer to him than a Jack Johnson due to how close we are in age.
Z is also just awesome. I love defensemen in general anyway, but I especially love the way he plays. He’s very offensive–as you can see in his stats–but he’s tough as nails too. He took a puck to the dome in the playoffs and came back and played until the swelling blocked half of his vision.
Werenski will likely be with the CBJ for a very long time, and I plan to love every second of him playing here.
Tony Mazziotti – Cam Atkinson
My favorite Columbus Blue Jackets player is Cam Atkinson. He won me over for a few reasons, which includes his play on the ice and character off the ice.
Cam isn’t a big guy, as we all know, and he played high school and college hockey. His point totals were always good but all together who knew how successful he’d be as a pro.
The way that Cam has not only grown into a star, but embraces being a Blue Jacket and represents the organization in a first class way, is awesome to me.
Today, Cam is a big part of a good hockey team. His first NHL All-Star game appearance last year was much deserved and I hope he makes at least another one before his career ends.
His play has grown under head coach John Tortorella and it shows how much of a team player he is. He hasn’t ever folded when the team has been playing poorly. Cam is always skating hard and makes big plays in big games, like last year in the playoffs.
Michael Mallory – Brandon Dubinsky
My favorite Columbus Blue Jackets player has to be Brandon Dubinsky. Dubinsky has done everything as a member of the Blue Jackets from fighting Crosby to scoring game winning goals.
Brandon Dubinsky is such alike able player. Dubinsky plays a tough style defensively shutting down the other teams’ stars and is able to contribute on the offensive end.
Outside of the ice, I was actually able to meet Brandon and he was actually very friendly, taking pictures with fans and stopping to chat. This truly stuck with me.
I believe that he has has a tough run this season being stripped of the A and even showed his competitive spirit, but he is still a leader on this to and I commend him for that. Dubi knows what it means to be a Jacket and leaves it all on the ice for the team.
Lansing Murphy – Matt Calvert
My favorite Columbus Blue Jacket has to be Matt Calvert. The longest tenured Jacket embodies what I think we all want to see in our favorite athletes.
Calvert punches above his weight and throws himself into the corners to fight for pucks constantly and is an incredible penatly killer. Not only does he kill penalties with the best of ’em, he creates offense during 4-on-5 situations. He led the team last year in short handed goals.
Calvert does whatever the team ask him to do and he does it exceptionally. He is never going to score 20 goals or put up 50 points but he is invaluable to the Jackets.
Plus, no Jacket fan will ever forget his performance against the New York Rangers last November. Taking a puck right off the forehead, blood everywhere, he left the game. No one thought he would return but after some stitches, the warrior returned. Not only did he return, he scored a shorthanded goal that turned out to be the game winner.
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That game cemented Calvert as my favorite Jacket and he will forever be beloved by this city.