Ray Whitney's time in Columbus was short but memorable
When Ray Whitney was traded to the Blue Jackets, the 28-year-old had already played 528 games in the NHL spanning 10 seasons. But, he had never played a full 82-game season, he only averaged 53 games a year. So, when the CBJ traded for him in 2001, fans were as excited as ever for the fledgling franchise. They were getting a goal-scorer and a relatively young playmaker.
Whitney had two very good seasons in Columbus. In 2001-02, he played in 67 games. He would rack up 21 goals and total 61 points, leading the team by a large margin. Mike Sillinger, the dad of current CBJ center Cole, had 20 goals and 43 points. The Blue Jackets were suffering from the expansion blues that season, and would finish 22-47-8-5 and would only average 2 goals per game. For you post-2017 expansion fans, trust me when I say it isn't what it used to be. No other player besides Whitney and Sillinger would score 20 goals.
In a game at Nationwide Arena in November of 2001 against the St. Louis Blues, Whitney would score this goal, which is still a legendary goal in CBJ history. The radio call from play-by-play icon George Matthews, with his partner Bill Davidge, still gives me chills.
2002-03 would see Whitney replace Lyle Odelein as the Captain, and he certainly played like one. This version of the Jackets had some firepower with the likes of Geoff Sanderson, Andrew Cassels, David Vyborny, and rookie Rick Nash. Whitney would score 24 goals and have 76 points, by far and away the points record for the young franchise. Whitney would finish the season with a staggering 42 powerplay points, including two shorthanded goals. The Jackets would finish 29-42-8-3.
Unfortunately, the 2002-03 season would be Whitney's last in Columbus, leaving for the Detroit Red Wings. In his two years with Columbus, he played in 151 games, scored 45 goals, and had 145 points. His 76 points in 02-03 ranks 4th all-time for points scored in a season. His 52 assists in that same season rank 5th all-time.
Ray Whitney, or "The Wizard" as CBJ T.V. play-by-play man Jeff Rimer dubbed him during their years in Florida, was very exciting to watch. It's truly a shame we didn't get to see him play more games in Union Blue.
Ray Whitney is the best player to have worn #14 for the Blue Jackets.
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.