COLUMBUS, Ohio — Rick Nash, the Blue Jackets’ all-time leader in goals scored, will have his No. 61 jersey retired in March, becoming the first player in club history bestowed with the honor, the team announced Thursday. 

Nash, who the Blue Jackets traded up to get at No. 1 in the 2002 NHL Draft, was with the Blue Jackets through 2012. After a decade of the CBJ failing to win a playoff game, Nash told then General Manager Scott Howson of his desire to be traded. This was met with some disapproval from fans who booed his return as a member of the New York Rangers. 

But after Nash completed his playing career, he was welcomed back to Columbus with wide-opened arms. Nash was hired as a special advisor to General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen in 2019 and was named the franchise’s director of player development in June 2021.

Nash is the Blue Jackets’ all-time leader in nearly every major offensive category, including goals, assists, points, shots on goal, game-winning goals and power play goals, according to team stats. He also has worn the Blue Jackets’ sweater more than anyone with 674 games played. 

He was also the face of the franchise in its infancy, and was the first bona fide star in club history. 

The Blue Jackets said that his jersey will be retired before the March 5 game before Boston, team Nash finished his NHL career with. 

“Rick Nash was the face of our franchise and our best player for a decade and represented our club on and off the ice with excellence, class and humility,” said Blue Jackets Majority Owner John P. McConnell.  “No one is more deserving of this honor than he and we are looking forward to celebrating Rick and his family in what will be a historic and memorable night for all of us on March 5th.”