A total of 6 players have worn jersey #8 since the start of the franchise.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have had many players don the Union Blue in its history. The #8 has only been worn a handful of times though.
Let's look at the players that have worn the number.
Who Wore It First?
- Geoff Sanderson - Sanderson played 268 games as a Jacket and had 168 points. In the franchise's first season, he dazzled the NWA crowds when he scored 30 goals and had 56 points. He retired in 2008 after playing 1100 games and totaling 700 points. His son Jake is now a star defenseman for the Ottawa Senators.
Who Wore It Last?
- Zach Werenski - Werenski has played 486 games for Columbus in eight seasons. He was a star at the University of Michigan and helped the Lake Erie Monsters win the Calder Cup in 2016. He also totaled 47 points in his rookie year.
Who Wore It Best?
- Zach Werenski - Werenski has 302 points in eight seasons so far. Had it not been for a few injuries, his points total would be much higher. He currently holds the CBJ records for most goals, assists, and points by a Columbus defender, as well as power-play goals. He's also tied for most points in a season, and most points in a single game by a defenseman. Werenski's records should stand for a lot of years.
Others That Have Worn #8
- Jan Hejda - Hejda was drafted by Buffalo in 2003 and came to Columbus as a free agent in 2007. Hejda played for four years in Columbus and had the best seasons of his career while wearing the Union Blue. He totaled 11 goals and 67 points for his CBJ career. He signed with Colorado in 2011 and would finish his career there. He retired in 2016.
- Scottie Upshall - Upshall played 21 games as a Jacket and had seven points. He retired in Switzerland in 2020.
- Maksim Mayorov - Mayorov played 22 in Columbus and totaled 11 points. He never played another game for the Jackets and left for KHL in 2012 where he would play until retiring in 2021.
- Nathan Horton - Horton only played 36 games for Columbus after signing with the Jackets in 2013. After netting 19 points, he was forced to medically retire due to a back issue.
There are 8 days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena.
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