A total of 8 players have jersey #25 since the start of the franchise
The Columbus Blue Jackets have had a lot of players don the Union Blue in its history. But only a handful have worn 25.
Let's look at the players that have worn the number.
Who Wore It First?
- Bruce Gardiner - Gardiner scored the first goal in franchise history 7:34 into game one of the 2000 season. He played 73 games as a Jacket and had 22 points. Gardiner only played seven more NHL games after he left Columbus. These days, Gardiner is a police officer with the Barrie Police Department. He was charged with criminal harassment and extortion on Feb. 4, 2022, but the charges were dropped in July of this year. He's on suspended duty.
Who Wore It Last?
- Mikhail Grigorenko - Grigorenko played 32 games for the Jackets during the 2020-21 season, tallying 12 points. He has since moved back to Russia and is playing for SKA St. Petersburg.
Who Wore It Best?
- Jason Chimera - The speedy Chimera played 331 games in the Union Blue. He scored 62 goals and totaled 136 points. He would finish his career in 2018 playing for the New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks. He played in 1107 games during his career and had 415 points.
Others That Have Worn #25
- Andrew Cassels - He played 137 games for the Jackets and totaled 94 points. He retired in 2006 and still resides in the Columbus area.
- Kyle Wilson - Played 32 games for the CBJ in 2020-11 and had 11 points. He played five more NHL games after Columbus and finished his career in Germany in 2017.
- Ryan Russell - The twin brother of former CBJ defenseman Kris Russell played 41 games for the club in 2011-12 and had two goals. He never played another NHL game and finished his career playing in England in 2016.
- Luke Adam - Played three games for the Jackets during the 2014-15 season and had no points. He never played another NHL game after being in Columbus and instead left for Europe where he played until 2024. He is signed on to play for the expansion Tahoe Knight Monsters of the ECHL for 24-25.
- William Karlsson - It's a common misconception that Karlsson was drafted by the CBJ. Taken by the Anaheim Ducks in 2011, he was traded to the Jackets in March 2015. He played 165 games for Columbus and had 47 points, mostly as a fourth-line grinder and penalty killer. He was chosen by Vegas in the expansion draft of 2017 and has been there ever since. His career in Vegas has been up and down, but he's managed 367 points playing in the desert.
There are 25 days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena.
Who is your favorite #25? Please share your thoughts on our forum.
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