Historic night for Blue Jackets, who officially retire Nash's No. 61

Brian Hedger, The Columbus Dispatch
·4 min read
Former Columbus Blue Jackets player Rick Nash and his family watch the banner being raised during his No. 61 jersey retirement ceremony prior to the NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 5, 2022.
Former Columbus Blue Jackets player Rick Nash and his family watch the banner being raised during his No. 61 jersey retirement ceremony prior to the NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 5, 2022.

Jersey No. 61 hasn’t been available to Blue Jackets players for a long time.

It’s now officially off the market and can be found swinging from the rafters of Nationwide Arena with the name “Nash” across the top. After an 80-minute ceremony filled with memories, thanks and well-wishes, Rick Nash and his family watched number 61 rise to its new permanent home Saturday night above the ice where its owner became the Blue Jackets’ most iconic player.

The banner is the first of its kind added to the arena’s rafters, which already includes one for the team’s original owner, John H. McConnell — whose family maintains majority ownership.

“I just started thinking of, literally, showing up in Columbus, driving down (I-670) coming to my first skate at Nationwide Arena, signing my first contract, playing in my first game,” Nash said, when asked what went through his mind as the banner went up. “And then you start thinking of all the teammates you had, everyone who was part of your success. You watch those videos and you see all those former ‘CBJs.’ Those were the emotions going through my mind, just going through the different teammates.”

Many reached out to congratulate Nash on the honor, some through recorded videos and others in person — including former Blue Jackets defenseman Aaron Johnson delivering a humor-filled speech before Nash spoke.

Players from both the Blue Jackets and Boston Bruins both watched the ceremony from the benches before playing an exciting game decided in Boston's favor by a shootout.

Nash was feted by speeches, including a humorous one delivered by longtime friend and former teammate Aaron Johnson, and the legendary former power forward received multiple gifts.

The team's majority owner, John P. McConnell, arranged for he, Nash and a guest of Nash's choosing to play a round of golf at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, site of The Masters Golf Tournament. The team's front office went in for a high-end, personalized blue sport jacket fit specifically for a Blue Jacket — including his name on the front and a lining featuring photos from his prestigious career.

Nash was also given an electric golf cart with "Nash 61" painted on the top.

Players across the NHL, past and present, also sent congratulations via recorded messages, including a number of Nash’s teammates on two Canadian Olympic teams that won gold medals. Notable names included Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla, and Joe Thornton along with Wayne Gretzky, Alex Ovechkin and a host of others.

Former Blue Jackets general manager Doug MacLean and former coach Ken Hitchcock also attended and spoke. MacLean was the team's first GM and Hitchcock guided the Jackets to their first playoff appearance in 2008-09, a team led on the ice by Nash.

“We don’t get there unless Rick changes,” Hitchcock said, referring to the way Nash went from a pure goal-scorer to a two-way force that season. “He needed to be the guiding light for everybody to fall in line. And what impressed me, and both of us knew this … we didn’t have much time to change. We had to change right away or else we’d just be an also-ran. And he changed overnight, our team changed overnight (and) other people got dragged into the fight in a big, big way.”

MacLean, who traded up in 2002 to get Nash first overall, has always had a fondness for what his best-and-brightest draft pick provided on and off the ice.

“He was an ever better person than he was a hockey player and that came through loud and clear tonight,” MacLean said. “I’m really proud of him. I was around the NHL for 24 years and he was my favorite player — and I had some good ones over the years … so, I’m really proud of him.”

Nash also mentioned pride.

After thanking his wife, kids, parents, former teammates, the team’s front office, the McConnells, MacLean, Hitchcock and staffers who’ve been with the team since its inception, Nash addressed the sellout crowd of 19,434 — the largest in Nationwide Arena history.

Standing beside his family, former Columbus Blue Jackets player Rick Nash waves during his No. 61 jersey retirement ceremony prior to the NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 5, 2022.
Standing beside his family, former Columbus Blue Jackets player Rick Nash waves during his No. 61 jersey retirement ceremony prior to the NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 5, 2022.

“That brings me to the most important people in the building tonight, 'The 5th Line,'” he said. “You watched an 18-year old year kid grow up right in front of your eyes. You guys were very patient with me. There was a lot of ups and downs, but I’ll tell you one thing … you guys made it easy to compete and work hard in a Blue Jacket jersey. This banner doesn’t represent what I did. It represents what we did.”

He continued.

“My family and I are proud of the Columbus Blue Jackets,” Nash said. “We’re proud to live in Columbus, Ohio. I hope as you guys watch this banner go up in the rafters tonight, you can think about your favorite CBJ moments that you’ve spent with your family, friends and loved ones. I am so humbled and so honored to lay 61 to rest, right where it belongs beside Mr. Mac. Thank you.”

bhedger@dispatch.com

@BrianHedger

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Historic night for Blue Jackets sends Nash's No. 61 into retirement