5 Best American born Blue Jackets in franchise history

The Columbus Blue Jackets have had their fair share of Americans on the team in franchise history, and it’s no secret that the United States has put some of the best players ever into the NHL. With active players like Patrick Kane, Auston Matthews and the CBJ’s own Johnny Gaudreau, it’s a shame the United States hasn’t won more on the international level.

So, who are the best American born players to ever wear a Blue Jackets jersey? Here’s my Top 5 list.

Just outside the Top 5 (by the slimmest of margins)

Brandon Dubinsky is just outside my Top 5, by a razors edge. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Dubinsky played every shift the hardest he could. Dubinsky played seven seasons in Columbus, with a stat line of 72 goals and 225 points in 430 games. He also had one of the biggest playoff goals in CBJ history, when he scored the tying goal against the Penguins in the 2014 playoffs, a game that the Blue Jackets would eventually win in OT. 

5. Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson, born in Indianapolis, Indiana played seven seasons in Columbus, after being traded from LA in 2011. He instantly became of fan favorite, simply based on who he was traded for, Jeff Carter. Johnson was a linebacker on skates. At 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds, he wouldn’t hesitate to use his big body to hit the opposing player and make them feel it. Johnson had 36 goals and 154 points wearing a CBJ jersey. Johnson sits 8^th on the CBJ games played list. He was a sturdy defender, and I loved the way he played. Johnson also embraced the role of savior, and gave the fans a reason to cheer for him, after being traded for a player that is still viewed as a villain to many Columbus fans.

4. R.J. Umberger

R.J. Umberger was born in Pittsburgh. Drafted originally by Vancouver, he eventually made his way to Columbus via a trade with Philadelphia in 2008. Most CBJ fans already knew him because he played his college hockey at Ohio State. Umberger was everything that is the City of Columbus, he was a hard worker who never took a shift off. Umberger played six years in the capital city, scoring 120 goals, and totaling 250 points. Umberger is 9^th all time in games played for the Jackets and 3^rd all time in PP goals scored with 40.

3. Zach Werenski

Zach Werenski was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. The first player in my Top 5 originally drafted by the Blue Jackets, he is quickly moving up the CBJ record books. See where he is in the records books here. If it not for Werenski’s shoulder surgeries in his career, he would be much higher in several categories. In my opinion he’s already the best defenseman to wear the Union Blue, and by the time he’s done, some of his records may take a long while to be reached. Ask me again in 5 years, and Werenski is probably #1 on this list.

2. Nick Foligno

Nick Foligno was born in Buffalo, NY and made his way to Columbus via a trade from Ottawa in 2012. The son of Mike Foligno, and brother of Wild F Marcus, he comes from a gritty hockey family. Early in his CBJ career, he was known to throw some haymakers during fights, knocking guys to the ice, often with one punch. Foligno played 599 games with the Blue Jackets, good enough for 4^th all-time. He’s also 4^th all-time in goals, 3^rd all-time in assists and 3^rd all-time in total points. In his career he totaled 142 goals scored and had 334 points in Columbus. Former Captain Foligno was, and still is a fan favorite. Many believe he will retire a Blue Jacket, as he should.

1. Cam Atkinson

Cam Atkinson was born in Riverside, CT. He was drafted in the 6^th round in the 2008 NHL entry draft. The 5-foot-8, 176-pound winger had a good career at Boston College. He scored 68 goals and had a total of 124 points. He spent parts of three seasons in the AHL for the Springfield Falcons, playing in 89 games, scoring 49 goals with a total of 87 points. The Blue Jackets eventually gave him his NHL chance, being called up during the 2012-13 season. Atkinson never looked back. He went on to play 10 seasons with the Blue Jackets, and made his mark both on, and off the ice.

Atkinson scored 213 goals for the CBJ and ended his Blue Jacket career with a total of 402 points. His 213 goals are good enough 2^nd all-time in Columbus History. His 189 assists are 4^th all-time, and the 402 points are 2^nd behind Rick Nash. He finished with 42 PPG (2^nd), and 16 SHG. His 16 SHG are #1 all-time in the CBJ record books. Atkinson played 627 games in Columbus which is 2^nd all-time.

Off the ice, Cam Atkinson founded the Force Network Fund, which donates money to military and first responder organizations. He has also donated money to a local hockey bar outside of Nationwide Arena to help save them during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and bought CBJ fans tickets to games while standing in line. For as much as Atkinson is loved on the ice, he is loved just as much off of it as well.

Cam Atkinson is the top American player to ever suit up for the Columbus Blue Jackets.