If you haven’t been paying attention to the hockey world over the last few days, you may have missed some pretty big news. Rick Nash, who owns just about every franchise record from his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets, was forced into retirement after lingering concussion symptoms made it unsafe for him to continue hockey activities.
While he most recently took the ice as a member of the Boston Bruins (for just 11 games), and the New York Rangers before that (For parts of six seasons), everyone will remember the big forward for his time with the Jackets. He was the heart, the soul, and he brandished the captain’s C while Columbus was still establishing itself in the NHL.
On Sunday, Nash and his whole family took the ice to drop the ceremonial first puck. Fittingly, the Jackets were playing against the Rangers, who he also spent some of his career with.
As expected, he got a huge reception from the crowd that adored him so much, many of whom still wear his jersey to home games.
Nick Foligno is the captain of the Jackets now, and he was there to accept the puck after his kid threw them down in a symbolic moment. As the Jackets continue to develop, Nash’s record may eventually fall, but it will be hard to replicate the significance Nash brought to the team.
He will forever be beloved in Ohio.
(H/T Twitter/NHL)
