OCTOBER 12, 2021

Defenseman Zach Werenski, forwards Oliver Bjorkstrand and Gustav Nyquist to serve as alternate captains

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today that forward Boone Jenner has been named the seventh captain in franchise history.  Defenseman Zach Werenski and forwards Oliver Bjorkstrand and Gustav Nyquist will serve as alternate captains.

“We had a lot of discussions as a coaching staff and with management and, while we were in no rush to make a decision regarding the next captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, it became obvious to all of us that Boone was the right choice,” said Blue Jackets Head Coach Brad Larsen.  “He has tremendous character and a work ethic that has earned the respect of his teammates and he’s been an important part of our leadership group for several years.  Zach, Gus and Oliver also have been part of that group and we are fortunate to have these guys lead our team.”

Entering his ninth NHL season, Jenner has been one of the club’s alternate captains since the start of the 2015-16 campaign.  The 28-year-old follows defenseman Lyle Odelein (2000-02), forward Ray Whitney (2002-03), defenseman Luke Richardson (2003-05), defenseman Adam Foote (2005-08), forward Rick Nash (2008-12) and forward Nick Foligno (2015-21) as team captains.

The Dorchester, Ontario native has recorded 121 goals and 119 assists for 240 points with 309 penalty minutes, 21 power play goals, 20 game-winning goals, 1,291 hits and 1,261 shots, while averaging 16:36 of ice time in 530 career regular season games since being selected by Columbus in the second round, 37^th overall, at the 2011 NHL Draft.  He ranks among the franchise’s top-10 career leaders in numerous categories, including hits (second), shots (third), goals (fourth), game-winning goals (fourth), points (sixth) and power play goals (eighth).

Jenner has posted double digit goals in all six of his full NHL campaigns, recorded 30-plus points in four-straight seasons from 2015-19 and 200-plus hits on four occasions.  The 6-2, 205-pound forward tallied 8-9-17 and six penalty minutes in 41 appearances in 2020-21.  He previously served as captain of the Oshawa Generals during his final two Ontario Hockey League seasons in 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Werenski, 24 has posted 65-124-189 with 71 penalty minutes, a +13 plus/minus rating, 14 power play goals and 10 game-winning goals, while averaging 22:43 in time on ice in 335 career NHL games.  Since making his debut with Columbus in 2016-17, he ranks tied for third among NHL blueliners in goals and 19^th in points.  He is the franchise’s all-time leader in goals by a defenseman, while ranking second in points and fourth in assists.  The 6-2, 213-pound blueliner collected 7-13-20 and 13 penalty minutes in 35 games, while ranking second on the team in time on ice (24:11 avg.) in 2020-21.  The Grosse Pointe, Michigan native was selected by the Blue Jackets in the first round, eighth overall, at the 2015 NHL Draft.

Bjorkstrand, 26, has registered 83-94-177 with 58 penalty minutes, a cumulative +15 plus/minus rating, 11 power play goals and 11 game-winning goals in 302 career NHL games since making his NHL debut in 2015-16.  The 6-0, 177-pound right wing ranks eighth on the franchise’s all-time list in goals and 14^th in points.  He led the Blue Jackets in goals, assists, points and multi-point games with 18-26-44, 23 penalty minutes and 10 multi-point outings in 2020-21.  He set career highs in points and became the second player in club history to lead the team in goals in back-to-back seasons (Nash, eight straight from 2003-12) after also posting 21 goals in 2019-20.  The Herning, Denmark native was selected by the Blue Jackets in the third round, 89^th overall, at the 2013 NHL Draft.

Nyquist, 32, has recorded 146-202-348, 144 penalty minutes, a +8 plus/minus rating, 37 power play goals and 23 game-winning goals in 570 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings.  The Halmstad, Sweden native has notched three 20-goal seasons and seven 40-point campaigns in his career.  The 5-11, 176-pound winger missed the 2020-21 season after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery.  Signed by the Blue Jackets as a free agent on July 1, 2019, he finished second on the club in assists and points in 2019-20 with 17-25-42 in 70 outings.  He was originally selected by Detroit in the fourth round, 121^st overall, at the 2008 NHL Draft.

The Blue Jackets open their 21^st regular season vs. the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday, October 14.  Game time from Nationwide Arena is 7 p.m. ET.  The game will be broadcast live on Bally Sports Ohio and streamed on the Bally Sports app.  The game may also be heard on the Blue Jackets Radio Network, including Sports Radio 97.1 FM in Columbus.

‐ CBJ ‐

Single game tickets for all home games played at Nationwide Arena during the 2021-22 season, including the Thursday, October 14 home opener vs. Arizona, are on sale now.  Full and partial season tickets for the Blue Jackets’ 2021-22 campaign are currently available for purchase.  Information on all ticketing options can be obtained by calling (800) NHL‐COLS or by visiting BlueJackets.com.

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