July 22nd, 1991 was a great day in Columbus

The Columbus Chill began play in 1991 and instantly became a Columbus institution. The teams’ rights were purchased by Horn Chen who wanted the team in Cleveland, but thankfully David Paitson, who was the Chills President and GM, convinced him to put the team in Columbus. Thank you, Mr. Chen, and Mr. Paitson for that decision.

I remember going to the Coliseum on the grounds of the Ohio State Fair and watching some really good hockey. It was fun as a kid to stand on the glass and watch as these hockey players skated by at lightning-fast speeds and slamming each other into the boards. I fell in love with hockey in 1991. I was given numerous pucks and sticks and whatever else I could get my hands on as a kid and had them autograph them after games.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vWJ1stcDwY[/embed]

In 1997 it was announced that Columbus would be getting an NHL team, and that started the groundwork for the Columbus Chill relocating. After the 1998-99 season, the Chill ceased operations and moved to Reading, PA. The Columbus Blue Jackets would start up in 2000.

The Columbus Chill laid the groundwork for modern day hockey in Columbus. By opening the Chillers and then later partnering with the Blue Jackets to own and operate the Chiller locations, hockey in Columbus exploded.

It’s safe to say that without the Columbus Chill, the NHL may not have decided to expand into the Columbus market. 

We salute the Columbus Chill on it’s 32rd anniversary.